Jaco Ahlers was the leading South African after the first round on Thursday of the Asian Tour’s Saudi-linked International Series England with his three-under-par 68 at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort putting him in a share of eighth.
His five birdies and two bogeys saw him reach 18 holes three shots off the lead which was set by Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun. He led by two from six players on four-under, and Ahlers shared eighth with India’s Viraj Madappa.
Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe, who won last week on the Japan Golf Tour, opened with a two-under 69 to share 10th with, amongst others, Neil Schietekat. Both had an eagle, two birdies and two bogeys on their cards.
Brazilian Adilson Da Silva opened with a one-under 70 to be in a share of 20th, together with Bryce Easton, Justin Harding and Ian Snyman. Keith Horne had a two-over 73, Pieter Moolman was on three-over with Jovan Rebula and Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith, and Mathiam Keyser was on four-over.
