From Sunshine Tour

The South African trio of Martin Vorster, Altin van der Merwe and Tyran Snyders took the early initiative to lead Thursday’s first round at the FNB Eswatini Challenge at the sweeping Ezulwini Golf & Country Club course.

The leading trio all signed for rounds of seven-under-par 65 to edge one shot clear from Pieter Moolman (66) and Martin Rowher (66).

Vorster, who is back in action after struggling with injuries in 2024, had an adventurous opening round that included eight birdies, three bogeys and an eagle to earn him the early clubhouse lead.

“Today was an interesting round – a little bit of everything. But I am really happy with the way I started. I did have a funny moment on the seventh hole. I was under the impression it is a par-four, and as I tapped in the putt my playing partner congratulated me for the birdie. All in all, I am really happy with the way I played today, especially after being out for four months last year due to a hip injury,” Vorster said.

Van der Merwe, last year’s Sunshine Tour Fortress Rookie of the Year, navigated the course without dropping a single shot amongst his seven birdies to join Vorster at the top of the leaderboard.

Snyders then impressed with six birdies and an eagle, and dropping only one shot, on his way to joining the leading group early in his professional career.

The trio of leaders are all still searching for a maiden Sunshine Tour win and will face fierce competition from their nearest challengers, Moolman and Rohwer, who have six titles between them. And Rohwer was a winner on this golf course in 2019.