Despite a double-bogey six early in his round on Thursday, Ockie Strydom opened with a four-under-par 69 in the first round of the DP World Tour’s European Open at the Green Eagle Golf Courses in Hamburg, Germany.
He started his round on the 10th, and made his double on the 13th. He picked up two birdies on the 15th and 16th ahead of the turn, and then he made four birdies without dropping a shot on his homeward nine. He was in a share of fourth, five strokes behind the lead.
Up front, local Jannik de Bruyn carded a superb bogey-free nine-under-par 64 to lead by four from Wales’ Jack Davidson and Laurie Canter of England. Strydom shared fourth with six other players, and there were eight players on three-under in a share of 11th.
Dylan Frittelli and Jayde Schaper were amongst those in a share of 19th after they each opened with two-under-par 71 on a course that has six par-fives, including four on the back nine.
Jaco Prinsloo had a level-par 73 in his first round and was in a share of 49th, while Brandon Stone was on one-over in a share of 65th. Jacques Kruyswijk and Louis de Jager were on three-over together with Rhys Enoch, while Thriston Lawrence battled to a four-over 77. Zander Lombard and Robin Williams were on five-over and Darren Fichardt was on seven-over.
