Jacquin Hess’ opening round of six-under-par 65 gave him a two-shot lead in the Betway Big Easy Tour event at The Wanderers Golf Club on Tuesday.
Robertson Golf Club’s Hess, who is also a member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, opened his round with a birdie and followed that up with eight straight pars as he avoided any big number on his card.
After the turn, Hess switched gears, making a crucial eagle on the par-five 10th to get his scores moving in the right direction.
The eagle paved the way for a hat-trick of birdies from 11 through 13th before a pair of pars brought his run to a halt. A drop on 16 threatened his progress, but Hess bounced back with a birdie on 17 before finishing off with a par on the last for a round of 65.
“I played some fantastic golf under some very difficult conditions,” he noted. “It was cold and windy; it felt like the weather from Cape Town came to Joburg today. But the golf course is in fantastic condition, and obviously, I love fast greens.
“I was here last Monday and had a feel of the course. I started eagle-birdie last Monday, and today I did it on the back nine. I went crazy on the back nine. My putter was so hot, I’d just get it on the line and it was in. So, as I said, I just loved Kikuyu grass and I love fast greens because that’s what I am used to back home in Robertsons.”
Meanwhile, rookie Oliver Goldhill also produced a brilliant round of his own. His 67 consisted of a pair of eagles, three birdies and three dropped shots.
“I played really solidly,” said Goldhill after his round. “I took advantage of the holes downwind; I feel like that’s what you have to do in these types of windy conditions, take advantage of those easier holes.
“And I made two eagles today, which is pretty sweet, and those kept my round going. So, I am happy.”
A shot further and in a share of third is England’s Joe Knox, eSwatini’s James Pennington, LB Boshoff, Tyrone Ryan and member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Jordan Duminy.
Winners of the last two events, Harry Konig and Joe Sullivan, share the eighth spot with veteran campaigners Ulrich van den Berg and Peter Karmis alongside Australia’s Austin Bautista and Sentanio Minnie, at two under par.
The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.
Photo: Big Easy Tour
