Ross charges to early lead at Ruimsig

The first of five Blue Label Invitational tournaments co-hosted with the Bushveld Tour got underway at Ruimsig Country Club on Monday, with Liam Ross racing to a one-stroke lead after an opening round of 67.

The five-event series is the first concrete collaboration between the two Tours and aims to provide more playing opportunities for members from both circuits. The leading 44 players on the Bushveld Tour’s Order of Merit, alongside a strong Betway Big Easy Tour contingent, are vying for the honours in this 54-hole second tournament of the season.

After England’s Harry Konig set the clubhouse lead at 4-under-par, it was left up to the afternoon field to catch up and even best that score.

Oubaai Golf Club’s Ross was only happy to abide.

A birdie and an eagle on his front nine were accompanied by three untainted birdies on the homeward stretch, giving Ross a slender but satisfying lead heading into the second round.

“Me and Sam (caddie) had a good game plan coming here,” said Ross after his round. “I’ve actually ever played this course just once, so we thought, fairways, greens, and try to give ourselves opportunities for birdies. Thankfully, the ball came out nicely today, and I really gave myself a lot of birdie looks.

“As golf goes, however, I feel like I left a few out there, but I think that’s a normal round for anyone who plays the game. Nevertheless, I made some good putts out there and I really enjoyed it.”

Despite his solid showing on day one, Ross knows there is little to get excited about after the opening round, especially given the quality of the players who make up the chasing pack.

“You know, you never win a tournament on the first day, but you can definitely lose it,” Ross noted. “So, for me, just to be in contention after day one is something to be grateful for. The key is just to enjoy the process because the competition is really tough out here. I just have to take it as it comes and make the most of it.”

Just as Ross did, Konig also felt that he could have picked up a few more birdies en route to his opening 68. He ties the second spot on the leaderboard with Zwartkop Country Club’s Matthew Bennett. LB Boshoff, Sean Howell, Tristan Leonard and member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Lyle Pedro, share fourth after opening rounds of 69.

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Scores:

67 - Liam Ross

68 - Harry Konig, Matthew Bennett, Tristan Leonard

69 - LB Boshoff, Sean Howell, Lyle Pedro

70 - Ryan Tipping, Nicko Venter, Jan-hendrik Nieuwoudt, Daniel Cronje, Haydn Porteous, Joshua Koekemoer

71 - Matthew Rushton, Darren Neyt, Nicholas Lavarone, Gary Kemp, Brandon Pieters, Leon Visser, Khanya Mkhize, Austin Cherichella, David Amm

72 - Tiago Jorge Swart, Michael Kok, Travis Ladner, Drikus Joubert, Nick Beart, Pedro Cristovam, Jacques Van der Merwe, Louis Liebenberg, Shaydon Johnson, Regan Steyn, Johnathan Ackerman

73 - Oliver Goldhill, Johan Theron, John-George Pringle, Evance Vukeya, Basil Wright Jr, Jaden Deltel, Jungwi Lee, Dillon Germshuys, Jabulane Mabilane, Steven Le Roux

74 - Therion Nel, Gareth Willing, Kyle Kistensamy, Neil Bothma, Reece Mc Kain, Bradley De Beer, Wade Jacobs, Christiaan Pretorius, Jason Froneman, Leon van der Walt, Adam Breen, Ruben Van Der Berg, Carl Mwale, Tiger Adams

75 - Eben Spangenberg, David Waschefort, Jonathan Waschefort, Siebert Wiid, Joe Sullivan, Lwazi Gqira, Kael Strydom, Travis Procter, Brandon Gildenhuys

76 - Andrew Williamson, Warrick Moonieyan, Thabang Simon

77 - Sipho Bujela, Thapelo Maichotlo, Matt Millar, Christopher Houdalakis, Wandre Snyman, Haydn Driver, Johnty Darvall, John Bele, Shaheed Patel, Bernard Jansen van Vuuren, Khaya Jika, Matt Saulez, Josh Hirsch, Raymond Sudding

78 - Lance Ellerbeck, Jeré Brits, Alphius Kelapile, Ricco Motsa, Tawriq Abrahams, Vaughn van Deventer

80 - Richard Kruger, Carter Rowe, Henre Proctor, Gevone Skopelitis

81 - Philip Geerts, Irvin Mosate wa Mazibuko, Dean Ralphs

82 - Lihan Ludick

83 - Brandon-Jude Rennie

84 - Jarryd Elliott

85 - Hayden Garcia, Jarryd Govender, Mohammed Saloojee

WDN - Keagan Crosbie, Teboho Sefatsa, Matthew Dennis, Shaunak Rama, Kian Coetzer