South Africa’s Justin Harding got his Presidents Cup audition off to the perfect start alongside Branden Grace before bad weather halted play at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Harding is seventh on the Presidents Cup automatic qualifying standings, with Grace outside the bubble in 15th.
The latter is almost guaranteed a place, though, even if this may be required as one of the four picks made by captain Ernie Els. Grace’s stature and form in the biennial competition are head and shoulders above most of the hopefuls in the qualifying process.
His junior partner, currently enjoying an extended run on the PGA TOUR, was out to impress, especially with Els on site as a player, and in close proximity to Trevor Immelman, one of the assistants.
The in-form Harding got his team off to the perfect start with a long-range putt on the first, before Grace made light work of the par-5 second hole.
Both players made par before Grace ensured there was no calamity after Harding found the water on the fourth. A par from Grace was backed up by a birdie on the next hole as he found the bottom of the cup from outside of 20 feet.
The better ball format was working a charm for the duo as Harding dialled in his approach from 160 yards to five feet on the sixth. He made no mistake as that brought the Grace/Harding duo to within two of the lead set by Americans Joel Dahmen and Brandon Harkins (9 holes played) before poor weather halted play.
Els and Immelman were at the back of the pack after playing their first five holes one-over par. There was more good news for Els’ Internationals as Australian pair Adam Scott and Jason Day joined the pile at -4 early on.
Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel are unlikely to get in any holes on Thursday.
