ANDY CAPOSTAGNO, Johannesburg | Thursday 6.30pm.
TWENTY-seven-year old Tzaneen resident Wallie Coetsee leads the South African Open after a first round 65, seven under par at Randpark.
Coetsee, who has done little of note in seven years on tour, leads by a shot from fellow countryman Des Terblanche and two Englishmen, Greg Owen and Paul Eales.
Coetsee was one of the early starters to take advantage of benign conditions and holding greens on a perfectly manicured course. He was in the clubhouse before noon celebrating his best ever start to a tournament.
Coetsee said, “Everything is in great condition and I only missed one fairway. I’ve never seen a better course in South Africa for condition”.
Coetsee didn’t make a par until the fourth hole, hitting his approach to within four feet for birdies on one and three, and making bogey four at the short second after hitting his seven iron through the back of the green. Four successive pars were then followed by three successive birdies through the turn which set his round up.
Coetsee’s length off the tee helped him to birdie three of Randpark’s monstrously long par fives and he gave the credit to a new club; “My seven wood is the club of the year as far as I’m concerned.
My driver and three wood are stiff shafted, but my seven wood is so whippy it’s like a fishing rod”.
World number six Lee Westwood had a satisfying three under par 69 in his first competitive round for almost two months, while world number eight Nick Price began with successive bogeys and needed a birdie at the last to be round in level par.