From Sunshine Tour

Haydn Porteous is chasing his second title this season on the Sunshine Tour after opening with a 64 to lead Thursday’s incomplete first round of The Hyundai Open by two strokes at the Ebotse Links.

After losing nearly five hours of play to a typical highveld thunderstorm, Porteous, the winner of the recent Vodacom Origins of Golf Gowrie Farm tournament, managed to finish his round with an eagle, eight birdies and two dropped shots.

The first round will resume at 7am on Friday, with the second round scheduled to start at 10:10am.

Porteous’s round of golf was destined for something special as he holed out with his second for an eagle two on his first hole of the day – the par-four 10th hole.

“It was a great round today, starting with an eagle and two birdies. It was just the start I wanted. Unfortunately I made a couple of soft bogeys, but I played some solid golf to give myself good chances. But there is still a lot of golf to be played,” Porteous said.

Tristen Strydom is his nearest challenger after an opening round of six-under 66. It was an equally positive start for Strydom, who is finding his feet again after only returning to the Sunshine Tour this season following a back injury.

His front nine of 29 was exactly the confidence boost he needed.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start. I holed a 35-footer on the first hole for birdie, which opened the gates and I tried to keep the foot on the gas and attack the golf course. It’s my first 29 I’ve ever shot in my life so it was really cool. I am very pleased with putting up a good score on the board.”

JC Ritchie, fresh from having secured his DP World Tour card for next season, opened with a round of five-under 67 to place him in a group of six players in a share of third place.