Casey Jarvis raced home with five birdies in a row on Thursday in the first round of the Challenge Tour’s D+D Real Czech Challenge at Panorama Golf Resort in Kácov, Czech Republic to grab the lead after the first 18 holes.
“I got off to a slow start,” said Jarvis of his front nine which had a birdie on two and a bogey on nine. “I didn’t play great on the front nine and something clicked on the back nine and I made five birdies coming in. I’m happy with that finish.”
His finish put him one stroke clear of six players on five-under, including his compatriot Jaco Prinsloo, who also dropped just one shot on his way to a five-under-par 67. Dylan Mostert carded a three-under 69 for a share of 19th, while JJ Senekal was on two-under in a share of 34th. Keenan Davidse also had a two-under start, while Luke Jerling was on one-under. Jacques Kruyswijk, Albert Venter and Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith were on level-par in a share of 72nd and Martin Vorster was on four-over.
Jarvis shared the lead with German amateur Wolfgang Glawer, who made a hole-in-one on the 15th on the way to his 66.
“That front nine is on top of a mountain,” said Jarvis of the difference between the two nines. “The back nine is a lot flatter and there are a lot more birdie opportunities and I took advantage of that pretty well today. Course management has got to be on point. There are a few par-fours where you’ve got to hit irons into places where you have an easy approach shot, and that’s really important.”
Jarvis just completed a successful rookie season on the Sunshine Tour without a victory, and he has taken to the Challenge Tour like a duck to water as he edges closer to a maiden professional victory.
“I’ve just got some confidence this year,” he said. “In the beginning of the year, I just found some sort of form and I’m playing on confidence. Golf is a mental game, and I’ve found form and confidence at the same time.”
He came close last week, and he is pushing hard for the win. “I’m hoping this is the week for the breakthrough,” he said. “I came close a few times back home on the Sunshine Tour, but I’m just going to stay patient and have fun like I have been.”
