DULLSTROOM (Mpumalanga) – Darkness fell over Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate at a crucial time for the leaders in the first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf Mpumalanga event, with Louis Albertse, Kyle de Beer and Louis de Jager all within two shots of each other with three holes left when play was suspended on Friday.
The start of play was delayed on Friday morning due to frost on the greens, and although the weather soon improved into a lovely, warm sunny day, the backlog meant the last dozen threeballs were not able to finish their opening rounds.
But Albertse played some incredible golf in the 15 holes he did get in, storming to nine-under-par with seven birdies and an eagle on the par-five eighth hole. The three-time Sunshine Tour winner, who played some fine golf in winning the pro-am that preceded the R2 million professional event, was making a big move on the back nine before the sun set on his charge. Albertse birdied four of the first five holes after the turn.
De Beer, currently leading the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, was on eight-under-par. The 26-year-old started his round on the 10th and made a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th hole, before bogeying the par-five 14th. But De Beer bounced back superbly with an eagle on the par-five 18th and further birdies on the second, fourth, fifth and sixth holes.
The experienced De Jager birdied four of his first five holes, with a bogey on the par-three third, and had just collected his second birdie of the back nine, on the 15th, to go to seven-under-par when play was called off for the day.
Another seasoned campaigner, Jacques Blaauw, had a marvellous start to his round, going four-under after six holes. He could only collect two more birdies thereafter, but a six-under 66 was still enough for a share of the clubhouse lead and continues his stunning season thus far as he is top of the Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.
Nikhil Rama also shot a splendid 66, while it was also a good day for a quartet of up-and-coming stars in Kyle McClatchie, Englishman Joe Long, Luke Brown and Martin Rohwer, who all completed their rounds on five-under-par.
Three of the nine Sunshine Ladies Tour professionals who are competing in this Vodacom Origins of Golf Series event are in line to make the cut. Gabrielle Venter led the way for the women on Friday with a one-under-par 71, while Lora Assad was one-over and Danielle du Toit shot two-over 74.
The completion of the first round and the start of the second round will take place concurrently on Saturday, with the action resuming at 7.10am.
