Oliver Bekker made an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys on Thursday in the opening round of the DP World Tour’s Cazoo Classic at Hillside Golf Club in Southport, England to be in a share of 10th.
Bekker’s 68 put him five shots off the lead which was set by Paul Waring of England with a nine-under 63, which included an eagle, eight birdies and a bogey. Earing was two clear of countryman Garrick Porteous, with four players on six-under in a share of third.
Bekker’s eagle came on the par-five second, after he had started his round on the 10th. He hit his tee shot 314 yards in the middle of the fairway, and then put his approach into the fringe on the back of the green, 21 feet past the pin. Putting from there, he sank it for his eagle.
Also in a share of 10th after an opening 68 was veteran Darren Fichardt, who had six birdies and two bogeys in his 68.
Two shots further back were JC Ritchie and Ricard Sterne on two-under, with Wilco Nienaber on one-under. Zander Lombard and Louis de Jager were on level-par, and Bryce Easton carded a two-over 74. Thriston Lawrence had a four-over 76, while Jacques Blaauw carded a battling eight-over 80.
