By Matthews Mfubu
Dean Burmester signed for a perfect four-under-par 67 to play himself into a three-way share of the sixth spot while becoming the leading South African in the DP World Tour’s Magical Kenya Open in Nairobi.
Sitting three shots behind the leading Daniel Gavins of England, Burmester seemed comfortable in Kenya as he eased to a 67. Ahead of him on the leaderboard and in order, Johannes Veerman and India’s Shubhankar Sharma share the second spot on six-under and a shot adrift. Lee Slattery and Ewen Fergusson are tied for fourth at five-under with the sixth spot taken by Burmester, Netherland’s Wil Besseling and Masahiro Kamawura of Japan.
Burmester opened his round with pars on the first two holes and followed those up with birdies on the next two holes. He held things together for the rest of the opening nine, picking up pars and avoiding any big numbers from the fifth through to the 14th.
Quick birdies on 15 and 17 decorated his scorecard as he headed for the clubhouse and a blemish-free 67 ensured he is within grasping distance of the leaders, early as it may be in the tournament.
Other South Africans in the field include Daniel Van Tonder, Justin Harding and Jacques Kruyswijk all of whom find themselves in a 14-man share of ninth after rounds of 68 each. Reigning Joburg Open champion Thriston Lawrence is in a 17-way share of 23rd thanks to his opening 69. Hennie du Plessis carded a 70 to share 40th while Toto Thimba Jnr, Oliver Bekker and Richard Sterne were level-par after day one. Zander Lombard is one-over, Jacques Blaauw is three-over while Haydn Porteous finds himself lingering in a share of 124th on five-over.
Bryce Easton showed some signs of struggle as he laboured to a six-over-par in round one.
