Wessels off to a flying start in Big Easy Tour event at Glenvista

Jordan Wessels came out firing on all cylinders in the first round of the fourth Betway Big Easy Tour event, carding an almost-perfect eight-under 64 to lead by three at Glenvista Country Club.

The recently-turned-professional Wessels started his round in the afternoon when Thabiso Ngcobo had already set the clubhouse lead at 4-under-par. A bogey on the first hole threatened his round quite early on, but the 21-year-old had other ideas. He recovered from that early setback with a birdie on the second, parred the third and then went on a four-hole birdie stretch which was eventually halted by back-to-back pars on eight and nine.

Wessels birdied the 10^th to keep his momentum going and followed that up with three more pars as he sought to keep the big numbers off his card. Another birdie got onto his card on the 14^th before closing off his round with another pair of birdies.

“I played solidly,” said Wessels. “But I am struggling a bit with my ball-striking. I did not hit it as well as the score says. I just kind of managed to keep it in play and give myself a decent amount of looks and I got the putter going pretty early in the round, which helped a lot.

“The putting was really good today. It was one of those days where you need to come out and hit the ball a bit better for the rest of the week, then I’ll be on the good track.”

Wessels is three shots ahead of Ruan de Smidt whose eventful round of 67 consisted of four birdies, two eagles and three dropped shots.

“It felt like I played really well,” said De Smidt after his round. “I had three three-putts, which is never ideal but the greens are quick here. I was super disappointed with how I finished, though, especially the two par-fives on the back nine. I was on the green for two and couldn’t convert those to birdies.”

Speaking about the eagles he made on 11 and 17, De Smidt said: “On the two par-fives, I hit beautiful second shots. I think I had five-feet and five-feet on both. Two short putts for eagles. I haven’t made many of those in the last few rounds, so I am happy with that.”

Thabiso Ngcobo, Ruben Van der Berg, Sean Howell, Jacques van der Merwe and Logan Leisher are tied for third after they all signed for rounds of 68. Karabo Mokoena is in a six-way share of the eighth spot on the leaderboard, thanks an opening 69 which included a hole-in-one for Mokoena.

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