Johannesburg – Toto Thimba Jnr fired a six-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the third Betway Big Easy Tour event of the season at The Wanderers Golf Club in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Thimba’s round included seven birdies and a single bogey as he set the early pace in the 54-hole tournament.
“A productive day in the office,” said Thimba Jnr after his round. “I hit the ball really well and I putted well, too. I made a silly drop on eight but I am pretty pleased with how I played today.” 
The experienced campaigner also acknowledged the challenge posed by younger players on the tour.
“It’s good to see myself playing well again. Obviously, I have to compete with these youngsters and it’s not easy out there. The guys can play here and you always have to be at your best. I am happy I was able to play well too.”
Makhetha Mazibuko and England’s Matt Millar are one shot back after both carding 66s. Mazibuko’s round featured six birdies and a bogey, while Millar had seven birdies and two bogeys.
“I felt like I played well today,” said Mazibuko. “I missed some but I think I made a couple of good putts and a few solid up-and-downs, so I am happy with my first round.”
A group of six players are tied for fourth at five-under 67, including Liam Grehan, 17-year-old amateur Minjun Heo, Richard Kruger, Adam Breen, Jastice Mashego and Matthew Bennett.
Heo, the youngest in the group, said patience was his strategy on the day.
“It was the first round and I didn’t want to attack. The aim was to try and make some putts and try to save some pars; play par golf. If some putts go in, it’s a bonus. I feel like anyone can score well on this course. But you can either shoot really well or the course can beat you up a bit.”
The Betway Big Easy Tour serves as the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and counts golfing legend Ernie Els among its patrons.
First round scores:
65: Toto Thimba Jnr
66: Makhetha Mazibuko, Matt Millar
67: Liam Grehan, Minjun Heo, Richard Kruger, Adam Breen, Matthew Bennett, Jastice Mashego
68: Ruan de Smidt, Daniel Cronje, Jacques Van der Merwe, Francois van Staden, Haydn Driver, Nick Beart, Kayle Wykes
69: Luke Truter, Carter Rowe, LB Boshoff, Jason Broomhead, Corey Sheppard, Jake Bolton, Sean Cronje
70: Jaden Deltel, Michael Wallace, Ulrich van den Berg, Travis Procter, Brandon Pieters, Heinrich Bruiners, Ruan Groenewald, Daniel Smith, Max Nicholls, Callum Mowat, Tomas Gana, Ruben Van Der Berg, Ethan Gough, Brandon Gildenhuys, Hannes Strooh, Daniel Palmquist
71: Tumelo Molloyi, Jonathan Wilsenach, Leon Visser, Max Orgovanyi, Louis Liebenberg, Lyle Pedro, Allister de Kock, Steven Le Roux
72: Austin Cherichella, Thabiso Ngcobo, Kian Rose, Kian Coetzer, Merrick Bremner, Wandre Snyman, Franklin Manchest, Ethan Govender, Mitch Phigeland, Shaunak Rama, Otto Van Buynder, John Lejirma, Drikus Joubert, Sean Paxton
73: Christopher Bagnall, Alphius Kelapile, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, James Truter, Shaydon Johnson, Jonathan Ackerman, Jordan Wessels, Carlos Bustos, Christian Kriek, Jean-Pierre Van der Watt, Roelof Craig, Vuyisani Makama, Keegan Mclachlan
74: Mark Maart, Zachary Chegwidden, Slade Pickering, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Keelan Africa, Jayden Hoskins, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Philip Geerts, Simon du Plooy, Sean Howell, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Leonard Swart
75: Wiehan Van der Walt, Shaheed Patel, Andrew Williamson, Sentanio Minnie, Joe Knox, Noel Anderson, Thanda Mavundla, Lwazi Gqira, Logan Leisher, Vaughn van Deventer, Jacquin Hess, Travis Ladner, Amilkar Bhana, Khaya Jika, Keegan Du Plessis
76: Sergio Arries, Umar Davids, Thabang Simon, Werner Deyzel, Kyle Kistensamy
77: Kael Strydom, Carl Mwale, Matthew Dennis, Eric Wowor
78: Kass Muller, Dillon Germshuys, Teboho Sefatsa
79: Khanya Mkhize, Matthew Mortimer, Michael Karanga
80: M-Jay Xaba, CJ Wangai
81: Omar Sandys
RTD: Yusuf Dadoo
