In-form Brown leads FNB Eswatini Challenge
- Sunshine Tour
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
Luke Brown carried the momentum of his victory the week before and claimed the first-round lead of the FNB Eswatini Challenge played at the Ezulwini Golf & Country Club after signing for a nine-under par 63 on Thursday.
Brown, the winner of last week’s Sunbet Challenge Time Square tournament, leads by two shots over the South African quartet of Daniel Cronje, Dylan Mostert, Altin van der Merwe and Keegan Mclachlan as well as Frenchman Benjamin Kedochim on seven under par.
Brown moved up into eighth position on this season’s Courier Guy Order of Merit after ending a five-year winning drought last week and is clearly determined to maintain that form following his round of six birdies, two eagles and just one bogey.
Sunshine Tour rookie Cronje, who is currently seventh on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings, is well placed after setting the early clubhouse lead with his 65.
“Today was really nice and I played solid golf, especially from tee to green. I’ve hit a lot of fairways that gave me opportunities to attack the flags which I capitalised on today,” he said.
“The golf course is really nice. It’s great to be out here and the course is in good condition. You have to hit it really straight off the tee and if you do that you can put yourself in good positions.”
Cronje, who finished tied for fifth in last week’s Sunbet Challenge Time Square tournament, says he’s reaping the benefit of taking some time off from the game.
“Golf has been nice the last two weeks. I took a little time off which I thought was well needed for myself. I am happy with my form at the moment and just looking to keep it going,” he said.
Scores
63 - Luke Brown
65 - Daniel Cronje
65 - Benjamin Kedochim, Dylan Mostert, Altin van der Merwe, Keegan Mclachlan
66 - Jacques Blaauw
66 - Charl Barnard, Rupert Kaminski, Rhys Enoch
67 - Austin Bautista
67 - Jaco Prinsloo, Callum Bruce, Greg Snow, Tomas Gana, Lyle Pedro, Xander Basson
68 - Martin Rohwer
68 - Jack Davidson, Tristen Strydom, Joe Sullivan, Tristan Leonard, Pierre Pellegrin, Luke Jerling, Matthew Spacey, Wynand Dingle, Jean Hugo
69 - Benjamin Van Wyk
69 - Allen John, Jaco Ahlers, Luis Carrera, Pierre Viallaneix, Astin Arthur, Graham van der Merwe, Jacques P de Villiers, Kyle De Beer, Dayne Moore, Vuyisani Makama, Thanda Mavundla, Malcolm Mitchell, Pieter Moolman, Jaco Van Zyl, Warwick Purchase, Herman Loubser, Christiaan Burke, Gabriel Morgan
70 - Simon du Plooy
70 - Jason Roets, Cole Stevens, Travis Procter, Tyran Snyders, Tyrone Ryan, Jacques Van der Merwe, Jonathan Broomhead, Conner Mackenzie, Carlos Bustos, Ruan de Smidt, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Keanu Pestana
71 - Otto Van Buynder
71 - Oliver Goldhill, Stals Swart, Toto Thimba Jnr, Nikhil Rama, Estiaan Conradie, Franklin Manchest, JJ Senekal, Samuel Simpson, Ethan Smith, Shaydon Johnson, Agustin Errazuriz, Jean-Paul Strydom, Gerhard Pepler, Stuart Krog, Quintin Wilsnach, Keenan Davidse, Adam Breen, Martin Leon
72 - Carter Rowe
72 - Haydn Porteous, Neil Schietekat, Matt Millar, Kian Rose, Travis Ladner, Gustavo Silva, Rigardt Albertse, Hennie O'Kennedy, Jbe' Kruger, Ruan Korb, James Mack, Jordan Burnand
73 - Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa
73 - Ricky Hendler, Trevor Fisher Jnr, Keagan Thomas, Albert Venter, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Dian Kruger, Jaden Deltel, Merrick Bremner, Kyle Barker, Tumelo Molloyi, Makhetha Mazibuko, Karabo Mokoena
74 - Liam Grehan
74 - Shaunak Rama, Hayden Griffiths, Jacquin Hess, Austin Mabaso
75 - Dillon Germshuys
75 - Sifiso Vilane, Thomas Spreadborough, Rhys West, Ryan van der Klis, Njoroge Kibugu, Thabiso Ngcobo
76 - Darlington Chikayambidze
76 - Allister de Kock
77 - Rowan Lester
77 - Robson Chinhoi, Mandla Dlamini Jnr
78 - Brett Cutting
78 - Cosmas Mufaya
79 - Jabulani Vilakati
79 - Marcus Sandile Taylor, Janco Vogel, Dumisa Gama, Machawe Maziya
80 - Mongiwetfu Masuku
80 - Morris Schiefner, Sanele Myeni
84 - Eric Wowor
84 - Steven Le Roux
85 - Oscar Dube
85 - Nathan Koen
87 - Albert Zungu
88 - Dale Masilela
90 - Nicholus Vilakati
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