England’s Ross Fisher a shot back and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson two behind; Tom McKibbin three off the pace alongside Ryder Cup vice-captain Edoardo Molinari; watch the second round live on Friday from 1pm on Sky Sports Golf
Last Update: 01/12/22 4:52 pm
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Highlights from the first round of the South African Open at the Blair Atholl Golf Estate near Johannesburg.
Highlights from the first round of the South African Open at the Blair Atholl Golf Estate near Johannesburg.
Thriston Lawrence set the pace on a low-scoring opening day at the Investec South African Open Championship, when Tom McKibbin impressed with a stunning hole-in-one.
Lawrence, a two-time DP World Tour winner last season, birdied four of his last six holes en route to an eight-under-par 64 at Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate near Johannesburg.
The world number 90 saw a birdie in the second canceled out by a bogey in the next, but followed successive gains from the fifth with another at the par-4 ninth to see him hit the turn in 32.
Thriston Lawrence (left) was playing alongside Charl Schwartzel, who posted a four-under-par 68.
Lawrence capitalized on the par-five on the 10th and added three birdies in a four-hole stretch from the 13th, with the South African producing a brilliant up and down from a greenside bunker to birdie the final par-five.
Jens Fahrbring threatened to join Lawrence in a tie for the top but was unable to birdie the par-five on the 18th, with a bogey-free 65 leaving him tied for second alongside England’s Ross Fisher.
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Fisher birdied five of his last seven holes to post a 7-under 65, with Scotsman Scott Jamieson a shot behind along with Matti Schmid thanks to a flawless 66.
McKibbin, who hails from the same course in Northern Ireland as Rory McIlroy, is in group three off the pace after a five-under 67, including a brilliant ace on the par-three 11.
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Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin hits a perfect hole-in-one on the par-3 11th hole in the first round of the South African Open.
“It was a good round of golf to start the week, so I’m very happy!” McKibbin said. “I went straight for him and he didn’t come out of the flag. I can’t see him go in, so I just listened to the crowd and heard the roar!”
Last week’s Joburg Open winner Dan Bradbury is in group four along with former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and Scotsman Marc Warren, while top-ranked player Dean Burmester opened his week with 70, two under par
Watch the Investec South African Open Championship all week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Friday from 1pm on Sky Sports Golf.
