Ryan van Velzen grabbed his opportunity for a shot at a DP World Tour event with both hands as he carded a four-under-par 67 in the first round of the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi.
He nabbed an invitation to the tournament, and he celebrated the good fortune with five birdies and a bogey to be in a share of second after the opening round. He was one off the lead which was held by Dutchman Darius van Driel, and he shared second with six other players.
One stroke behind Van Velzen was Pieter Moolman in a share of eighth after he opened with a three-under-par 68. Casey Jarvis was on two-under in a share of 16th, while Jacques Kruyswijk, Thriston Lawrence and Louis de Jager, amongst others, were in a share of 38th on one-under-par.
Thomas Aiken, Deon Germishuys and Oliver Bekker were on level-par in a share of 56th, while Dylan Frittelli was on one-over. Dylan Mostert was on two-over, Wilco Nienaber on four-over and Justin Harding battled to an eight-over-par for 140th place.
