Barend Botha got just the start he needed on Thursday in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship at the Federal Club in Glen Allen, Virginia as he carded a bogey-free opening round of six-under-par 65.

Botha stands at 38th on the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour Points List and needs a minimum finish of solo second to potentially finish in the top 20 and earn his first PGA Tour card.

And that’s exactly where he was after the first round, one shot behind the leader Ian Holt of the United States, and one ahead of five players in a share of third on five-under-par 66.

Botha’s round was highlighted by a five-under 30 on the back nine as he reached his career-high position after a first round, and he’ll perhaps feel a little aggrieved that he was unable to take advantage of the par-five ninth hole.

He had a runner-up finisher at the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Championship, his tournament debut. He held a one-stroke lead through 54 holes and needed a win to finish in the top 20 of the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List. He previously finished 28th on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List as a rookie.