MJ Daffue took his chance in a PGA Tour field on Thursday as he opened the Corales Puntacana Championship at Puntacana Resort & Club in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic with a three-under-par 69.

With a limited field PGA Tour Signature Event happening at the RBC Classic, Daffue got into the opposite field event being played at the same time, and his 69 gave him a share of 26^th. He was six shots off the lead which was held by YouTube star Wesley Bryan at nine-under-par 63. Bryan had an eagle, eight birdies and a bogey to lead by one from five players.

Daffue made six birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey on his way to his 69. The next-best of three South Africans in the field was Thriston Lawrence, playing on a sponsor’s invitation. He carded a one-under-par 71 after making a double-bogey on his second hole, the 11^th. He came back immediately with a birdie, dropped another shot on the sixth after the turn, but closed with three birdies in a row from the seventh. He was in a share of 66^th.

Garrick Higgo opened with a level-par 72 for a share of 88^th.