Deon Germishuys got off to a solid start in the European Challenge Tour’s Irish Challenge, shooting an opening six-under-par 66 to lead the South African contingent while trailing by just two at The K Club, Palmer South, Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland.

Germishuys is one of five South Africans in the field in Ireland, the others being Luke Jerling, Tristen Strydom, Pieter Moolman and Rupert Kaminski. Germishuys’ 66 was enough to place him in a five-man tie for fifth and two shots back of Joel Girrbach’s lead. The Swiss’ eight-under 64 also marked a new course record at the K Club.

Another face familiar to the South African audiences in that five-way tie with Germishuys, is England’s Todd Clement who’s had a couple of decent outings on the Sunshine Tour in recent times.

Germishuys’ compatriot, Kaminski, fired in a solid 68 to start his Irish adventure, characterised by six birdies and two drops. He will go into the second round with confidence after his opening round and aim to mount a serious challenge for the top spot. Kaminski is tied 15th after round one.

The reigning champion of the Sunshine Tour Tour Championship, Strydom, will also be satisfied with his opening round. He will be particularly happy with the manner in which he played the back nine – his front nine – where he was six-under through eight thanks to four birdies and an ace.

He will not be happy, however, with the bogeys he made, especially the one on 18 where he’d aced the previous hole. He ultimately signed for a 69, owing to the aforementioned bogey which was followed by another after the turn, plus a double-bogey he made on six.

It was a strong start, nevertheless, for Strydom and sitting in a share of 25th after round one, he will feel confident of a comeback when the second round tees off. Moolman opened with a 70 and is tied 37th while Jerling carded a one-over 73 opening round.