Louis Albertse started off 2022 in style with a nine-under-par 63 on Thursday in the opening round of the Bushveld Tour’s two-day event at Benoni Country Club.
Two eagles, six birdies and a closing bogey gave him a four-stroke lead over Christiaan Maas and Ockie Strydom, with Casey Jarvis, Clive Palm and Dylan Naidoo in a share of fourth on three-under-par 69.
Albertse’s eagles both came on par-fours. On the second, he had just over 140 to the pin. “It went exactly where I wanted it to, so I’m not going to call it a fluke,” laughed Albertse. “On the fourth, I only had 40 to the pin, and I made that, so that was a pretty cool start.”
He picked up shots on eight, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15, before making bogey on the 18th. “I tried hard to be angry about that, but I couldn’t,” said Albertse.
“These Bushveld Tour events are great for getting tournament experience under the belt,” he said. “Playing in a tournament is very different from playing a round with your mates, so it’s very important for Sunshine Tour players to grab the opportunity that the Bushveld Tour offers.
“I have goals I’ve set myself for the new year, and I’m in a good position on the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. This kind of round gets me going in just the way I want to,” added the man who won his maiden Sunshine Tour title last year.
