Zimbabwe’s Michael Wallace (pictured), England’s Joe Knox and Leon Visser carded rounds of six-under 66 on day one of the King’s Cup, taking a two-stroke lead into Friday’s second round at Ezulwini Golf and Country Club.

“It was really nice,” said Wallace of his first-round effort. “This is my first time in Eswatini and I feel like the course suits me quite a lot. I just kept it in play, hit the ball really well. I got a new putter in the bag and I think it’s working, so I’ll keep it in the bag for a while longer. It was really nice being out there, with good playing partners. It was really fun.”

His round was characterised by six birdies, an eagle and two dropped shots. Knox’s round consisted of seven birdies, an eagle and three bogeys. The Englishman relied on his previous experience playing at Ezulwini.

“It was a good start,” noted Knox. “I played here last year, so I know the course relatively well. I came up a couple of days ago and played nine holes each day, just got familiar again. The course is in good nick, it’s better than when we played it last. It’s not hard but it can be tricky.

“Tree lined, you’ve got to drive the ball well. Do that, you’re going to have a lot of wedges in. I had a lot of good wedge shots today, putted well and I was never really in any kind of trouble. I didn’t play the par-threes great but they’re not easy. There’s so much wind this afternoon.”

For Visser, the return to Ezulwini Golf and Country Club holds an even greater sentimental meaning. The Pretoria-based professional grew up in the region and played most of his junior golf here.

“I really enjoyed it,” said Visser of his opening round. “Obviously, I’m a local boy and I think that helped a lot. It gets quite windy here in the afternoon but the putter was really hot today. But I started playing all my golf here with my grandfather. It’s just special to be here.”

The King’s Cup has made its return to the Betway Big Easy Tour schedule after it was last played in 2017-18. The following year it was part of the Sunshine Tour schedule and that event was won by Jaco Ahlers. This year’s event carries a purse of R700,000, making it the biggest prize money on the tour this season.