Thomas Aiken surges to the top, one ahead of Retief Goosen in the opening round of Africa Open
South African Thomas Aiken romped to a blistering start in the opening round of the Africa Open, when he posted a stunning nine-under 64 to edge past the rest of the field.
This is the inaugural event on the Race to Dubai 2012 calendar, staged at the scenic East London Golf Club in South Africa and features some of the top ranking players from around the world.
Aiken, who won his maiden European Tour title last year at the Open de Espana, opened up the Africa Open bid this morning in more or less the same fashion as he did it last year.
The 28-year-old also pulled in an impressive nine top-ten finishes last year and is all set to walk in the footsteps of the giants, Retief Goosen and Ernie Els.
Aiken carded no less than five birdies and two jaw-dropping eagles at par-five, 3rd and par-five 11th to close the day with a total of 64, one shot better than the two approaching contenders, Goosen and Jaco Ahlers.
Danny Willet of England was the only foreigner who actually managed to challenge the South African dominance on the first day when he finished for a joint fourth alongside Shaun Norris.
Other prominent players to feature on the first day were: England’s former Ryder Cup Captain David Howell, South Africa’s JG Claassen, Tyrone Ferreira, Tim Sluiter, Frenchman Julien Guerrier and Spaniard Agustin Domingo.
Goosen also had a blistering day when he closed the first round with an eight-under 65, one shot behind the leader.
The grizzled veteran of the South African entourage pulled in no fewer than nine birdies in his 18-hole stretch and dropped just one shot at par-four, 9th.
Goosen is considered one of the most experienced players from South Africa and he together with Ernie Els, mark the rampaging duo in the sport.
Goosen has won two major titles in the course of his career and has been nominated as the best European Tour player for the years 2001 and 2002.
Africa Open marks the opening event on the Race to Dubai points table on the European Tour and holds considerable points for the players to wrestle their way for the top slot.
Race to Dubai for the year 2012 will include no fewer than 46 events worldwide. The events will be staged in some five continents and 25 countries.
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