He took advantage of the opportunity that was offered by a PGA Tour event being scheduled up against the Genesis Scottish Open, and JC Ritchie opened the Barbasol Championship at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky with a five-under-par 67.
Ritchie made two eagles, four birdies and three bogeys to be in a share of 15th. He was four shots off the lead which was held by Lucas Glover who carded a superb nine-under-par 63. Glover led by one from American countrymen Ryan Armour and Ryan Moore. There were four players in a share of fourth on seven-under and seven in a share of eighth.
Ritchie shared 15th with eight other players, including compatriot Deon Germishuys. Germishuys had an eagle, four birdies and a bogey in his 67.
Ritchie’s eagles came from big drives: On the fifth, he smoked it 376 yards, and hit his approach close enough for an easy putt, and on the eighth, he flirted with the water on the left with a 333-yard effort from the tee, and hit his approach 228 yards close for the one-putt.
One shot behind that South African duo was Jayden Schaper on four-under in a share of 24th, and Louis de Jager was on three-under in a share of 38th. MJ Daffue opened with a two-under-par 70 and was in a share of 59th with, amongst others, Thomas Aiken.
Bryce Easton had a three-over 75.
