The Outeniqua course at Fancourt is often regarded at the ‘gettable’ one of the three played in the Dimension Data Pro-Am, and Casey Jarvis certainly got it on Thursday with an opening eight-under-par 64.
His nine birdies and a bogey in the first round of the 28th playing of the tournament, now co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the Challenge Tour, gave him a one-stroke lead over Adam Blomme of Sweden, who played at The Links for his seven-under 66, and Luke Jerling, who carded his seven-under 65 at Outeniqua.
The professionals play the first three rounds on each of Montagu, Outeniqua and The Links ahead of the cut after the third round, and the final round will be played on Montagu. The best round on Montagu, widely regarded at the ‘championship’ layout at Fancourt, came from Ireland’s Ruaidhri McGee, who signed for a six-under 66 with seven birdies and a bogey.
Also on six-under after the first round, and in a share of fourth, were Clancy Waugh of the United States who played on Outeniqua, Jean Hugo, who was also on Outeniqua, and Oliver Bekker, the 21012 champion of the tournament, whose six-under 67 came on The Links.
There were wight players on five-under-par in a share of eighth.
In the pro-am section of the tournament, Jarvis was paired with Sunshine Tour executive director Selwyn Nathan, and they had a betterball total of 11-under-par 61. That put them two clear of their nearest pursuers.
