Cronje, Wessels in early Big Easy lead in Krugersdorp

Daniel Cronje was pleased to shoot a round of 67 in Tuesday’s opening round of the 6^th Betway Big Easy Tour event at Krugersdorp Golf Club.

“I’m very happy,” said Cronje after his round. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a good start so I am very happy with my performance today. I took a three-week break from the game; this is my first tournament back.

“I was struggling and the game felt like it wasn’t in a good place; maybe I was over-golfed. A rest was needed and I feel more refreshed now and hoping to now keep going with this momentum.”

Cronje’s 67 consisted of six birdies and a solitary drop.

Tied for the lead alongside Cronje is Jordan Wessels who would have been disappointed with his finish on day one. Wessels was nine-under through 14 holes but made bogeys on all four of his remaining holes to post a round of 67.

Glenvista Country Club’s Louis Liebenberg’s four-under 68 gave him something to smile about as he, by his own admission, has had to endure a few struggles over the course of the campaign. His round was made up of six birdies and two bogeys to leave him one shot off the early pace.

“I am a little bit surprised because I haven’t been showing signs of great golf lately,” Liebenberg remarked. “Today, I just told myself to stick to my process, take it shot for shot, and not worry about the future on anything like that; just try to enjoy it.

“The greens were a little bit quick and firm as well so you definitely didn’t want to have little awkward wedge shots because it’s really hard to stop the ball. It’s a tough track this week.” He is solo third on the leaderboard.

Sunshine Tour rookie Charl Barnard occupies the fourth spot after an opening three-under-par 69 while the big-hitting Christian Kriek, Wandre Snyman and Hannes Strooh share fifth after rounds of 70 on day one.

Amateur Dylan Kayne is in a eight-way share of the eighth position, thanks to a round of 71 on Tuesday.

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