Nelson Mandela Championship round one
The much-awaited first ever Nelson Mandela Championship finally teed off at the Royal Durban Golf Club. Some amendments were made in the format of the tournament to ensure that it finishes on time.
The course par was shortened to 65 and the tournament will be played over the course of 36 holes instead of 72 holes.
Danish Madsen Orum and South African Tim Clark shot a five-under 60 at the Royal Durban Club to take a club house lead. They lead the tournament by a stroke.
Tim carded six birdies and a bogey in his round of five-under. The South African shot three consecutive birdies on the back nine.
“It wasn’t that easy out there, but I was amazed at how good the greens were with all the rain they had,” said Clark.
“It’s just the same really, just come out and try to make birdies,” he added. “If it is going to be a two round tournament, you’ve got to go low.
“Normally you can sort of pace yourself, get to the weekend, play in the weekend and sneak home; but right now you’ve got to go as low as you can and be aggressive”.
On the other hand, Madsen carded two bogeys and seven birdies in his round of five-under. Both the players were solid on the back nine, but they struggled a little on front.
The conditions were not very easy, the course was still pretty wet, however, the staff did a marvellous job to fix things up as early as possible.
Most astonishingly, the greens were near perfect, usually after such excessive rain, it is difficult putting on the greens but the staff ensured that crowds get so see some lovely putts.
It was a European Tour debut for Madsen and carding such a brilliant round definitely shows that the Dane can perform at the highest level.
However, the Dane was not the only debutant who shined on the course. Chris Lloyd carded four-under and is shot behind the co-leader Madsen.
Max Kieffer is one shot behind Lloyd after he posted a decent round of three-under. Behind him is another debutant, Bjorn Akesson who carded two-under.
Tags: