Luke Jerling was one of three South Africans who opened with a two-under-par 68 on Thursday in the Challenge Tour’s Empordà Challenge in Girona, Spain to be in a share of 17^th, two shots off the lead.

Jerling made three birdies and a bogey in a solid start, and he shared 17^th, with, amongst others, Jayden Schaper and Tristen Strydom. Schaper had five birdies and three bogeys and Strydom four birdies and two bogeys. The lead was held by Alejandro Del Rey, Manuel Elvira and Matias Honkala. They led by one over 13 players on three-under.

Jerling started his round on the 10^th, and quickly had two birdies in the bag, on the 12^th and 13^th. He dropped a shot on the ninth ahead of the turn, but he regained that shot with a birdie on the fourth. He made par all the way home in a solid start to the tournament.

Wilco Nienaber carded level-par 70 to be in a share of 47^th, while Jacques Blaauw and Ruan Conradie had opening rounds of one-over for a share of 63^rd. Deon Germishuys was on two-over.