Tjaart Van der Walt leads Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open on day one – Golf News
Tjaart Van der Walt made a perfect start on his debut campaign at the Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open presented by Neuflize OBC, as the 38-year-old fired a four-under par 67 in the opening round to take a one-stroke lead, on Thursday,
June 13, 2013.
Meanwhile, when the elite players are busy contending in the second major golf championship of the season, the US Open, a number of other European Tour players, along with Challenge Tour players, are trying their luck at the Aa
St Omer Golf Club.
Van der Walt remained consistent throughout the day and managed to drain five birdie putts while losing a single shot to finish one stroke ahead of Frenchman Victor Riu.
Starting on the back nine of the course, he parred each of the first seven hole, before adding back-to-back two birdies, which allowed him to reach the turn in 33.
The front nine of the course witnessed him adding another three shots to his scorecard, while his only blemish came on the third hole, his 12th.
“I managed the ball really well today,” said the 38 year old. “I have been doing that well the last few weeks but the putting hasn’t been great. I holed a few putts today which was good.”
“I made a nice one on 17, from about 30 feet and downhill which broke about six feet, and another at 18 too but all credit to the green keepers because they slowed the greens down a little and if they didn’t do that there would
be putts going off the green in that wind. …The course really suits my eye too,” he added.
Riu, in the meantime, showed a below par game throughout the first 15 holes which he played. He conceded two bogeys, while adding just one shot to his scorecard over the first 15 holes that he played.
However, his strong finish allowed him to make a strong charge on the leaderboard, as he drained two birdies putts along with an eagle on the last three holes.
He now plans to bring consistency in his game, in a bid to contend strongly for the top spot in the event.
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