Dylan Naidoo shook off a poor start on Tuesday in the first round of the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada Q-School-USA East 1 in Weston, Florida in the United States to end up carding an opening one-over-par 73.

He started on the 10th with a bogey, regained that shot with a birdie on the 12th, but then a double on the 16th put him back on his heels. Another bogey in 18 meant he went onto his homeward nine on the back foot at three-over.

The 23-year-old regathered himself and picked up two birdies on the way in, making sure not to drop another shot, and he finished the round in a share of 58th.

He’s a long way back of the lead at 10-under, set by Camilo Aguado of Colombia, but, as with all qualifying school tournaments, Naidoo will know he’s in a marathon.