The first round of the Sunshine Tour’s Hyundai Open was suspended earlier this morning due to lightening around Ebotse Links. Play was then delayed until Friday morning after marshalls ruled darkness to be an issue at 6pm local time.
Rowan Lester managed to complete six holes before the calling of play, beginning his round on the back nine. Lester made birdie on the par-5 12th hole and will begin Friday morning at the 16th hole.
Liam Grehan only completed three holes, as he made bogey in the darkness at the par-4 third and will tee off Friday morning on the fourth hole.
The first round will resume at 7:00am local time on Friday, with the second round scheduled to start at 10:10am.
Both Irish golfers will be looking to come out swinging Friday morning as South Africa’s Haydn Porteous set the tone as he leads the pack at eight-under after completing his 18 holes.
“It was a great round today, starting with an eagle and two birdies. It was just the start I wanted. Unfortunately I made a couple of soft bogeys, but I played some solid golf to give myself good chances. But there is still a lot of golf to be played,” Porteous said.
Tristen Strydom is his nearest challenger after an opening round of six under 66. It was an equally positive start for Strydom, who is finding his feet again after only returning to the Sunshine Tour this season following a back injury.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start. I holed a 35-footer on the first hole for birdie, which opened the gates and I tried to keep the foot on the gas and attack the golf course. It’s my first 29 I’ve ever shot in my life so it was really cool. I am very pleased with putting up a good score on the board.”
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