Little-known Fabrizio Zanotti from Paraguay reeled off nine birdies on his way to an eight-under-par 64 and the first-round lead in the South African Open on Thursday.
The 25-year-old from Asuncion made the most of good morning conditions at Pearl Valley Golf Estate in the Western Cape to lead by a shot from European Tour qualifying school winner Oskar Henningsson from Sweden.
”It was close to being the perfect day for me,” said Zanotti, who tied for 42nd place in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek last weekend.
”The conditions suited me well, I’m used to the heat,” added Zanotti.
”I was very happy with my long game and the chipping was also good. It went well out there and I’m pretty happy with my game.”
Zanotti, who recorded four birdies on his front nine and a further five birdies and a single bogey on the back half, was set to be joined at the top of the leaderboard by Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin, but on the par-four ninth, his last hole of the day, he had a double bogey six and finished two shots off the pace.
Henningsson scored an impressive 65, including nine birdies, for sole possession of second place.
Joining Maybin on 66 was big local hope Rory Sabbatini, whose flawless round included six birdies, as well as fellow South Africans Keith Horne and Jaco van Zyl.
Also on 66 were Englishmen Ross McGowan and Lee Westwood and Scot Richie Ramsay.
England’s Simon Dyson, who led early in the day after posting a 67, is three shots back in a group that includes South Africans Ernie Els, Tim Clark and Darren Fichardt.
Els, a multiple winner of the South African Open, started his round with a birdie at the par-four 10th and added a further two birdies before recording a six at the par four second to leave him some way off the pace. But he then rolled in four birdies within five holes.
Justin Rose from England settled for a four-under 68 while Nedbank Challenge winner Henrik Stenson of Sweden had to be satisfied with a 70 on a day of low scoring in surprising conditions.
”There was a bit of a breeze in the morning, but as the day went on it became very calm. I’ve not experienced that here before,” admitted three-time Major champion Els. — AFP
