Deon Germishuys carded a four-under-par 68 on Thursday in the first round of the Challenge Tour’s Hopps Open de Provence in France to be three shots off the lead in a share of third place.
Germishuys, who won the Sishen Classic on the Sunshine Tour in May for his maiden title, is campaigning on the Challenge Tour in search of a DP World Tour card for 2023.
He was bogey-free in his opening round in France, and chasing Jens Fahrbring of Sweden who signed for a first round of 65. Fahrbring led by two from Bailey Gill of England. Germishuys shared third with six other players.
Bryce Easton was one stroke back in a share of 10th after his opening round of three-under-par 68.
JC Ritchie battled his way to a two-over-par 74 to be in a share of 78th. He has work to do in the second round if he is to make the cut.