Africa Open: Jaco Van Zyl shoots 66 to lead at East London Golf Club
Last Updated: February 15, 2013 10:02am
Jaco van Zyl tamed strong winds to take the first day lead in the Africa Open at the East London Golf Club.
With balls moving on several greens, the opening morning's play had to be suspended and there was a near three-hour delay before the action resumed in the afternoon.
South African Van Zyl had managed 14 holes before referee John Paramor called the players in but during that time he'd registered three birdies, a bogey and an eagle at the long 15th to sit at four-under.
On the resumption, he added two further birdies to post a six-under 66 which was good for a one-shot lead over Adilson Da Silva, who raced to five-under with five birdies in his first six holes.
First round leaderboard
(SA unless stated)
-6 J Van Zyl (18 holes)
-5 A Da Silva (Bra) (8)
-4 J Parry (Eng) (18)
-3 O Bekker (18)
-3 M Korhonen (Fin) (11)
-3 A Curlewis (8)
Click here for collated scores
The Brazilian added pars at seven and eight and will resume his second round on Friday morning with the rest of the Thursday afternoon starters.
Solid start for Parry
Q-School winner John Parry of England is a shot further back after completing a round of 68 while, with scoring tough, Oliver Bekker was the only other player to shoot in the 60s as he returned a three-under 69.
Despite managing to conquer the conditions, Van Zyl agreed with the decision to halt play.
"It's getting really difficult out there, to the point where the wind is literally blowing you off your feet," he said during the interruption.
"I think it's a pretty good call, because it's not getting easier."
