Leading SA trio chasing maiden Sunshine Tour titles at FNB Eswatini Challenge

Martin Vorster. Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour

The South African trio of Martin Vorster, Altin van der Merwe and Tyran Snyders took the early initiative to lead Thursday’s first round at the FNB Eswatini Challenge at the sweeping Ezulwini Golf & Country Club course.

The leading trio all signed for rounds of seven-under-par 65 to edge one shot clear from Pieter Moolman (66) and Martin Rowher (66).

Vorster, who is back in action after struggling with injuries in 2024, had an adventurous opening round that included eight birdies, three bogeys and an eagle to earn him the early clubhouse lead

“Today was an interesting round –a little bit of everything. But I am really happy with the way I started. I did have a funny moment on the seventh hole. I was under the impression it is a par-four and as I tapped in the putt my playing partner congratulated me with the birdie. All in all, I am really happy with the way I played today, especially after being out for four months last year due to a hip injury,” Vorster said.

Van der Merwe, last year’s Sunshine Tour Fortress Rookie of the Year, navigated the course without dropping a single shot amongst his seven birdies to join Vorster at the top of the leaderboard.

Snyders then impressed with six birdies and an eagle, and dropping only one shot, on his way to joining the leading group early in his professional career.

The trio of leaders are all still searching for a maiden Sunshine Tour win and will face fierce competition from their nearest challengers, Moolman and Rohwer, who have six titles between them. And Rohwer in particular was a winner on this golf course in 2019.

Scores

65 - Martin Vorster, Altin van der Merwe, Tyran Snyders

66 - Pieter Moolman, Martin Rohwer

67 - Allen John, Luke Jerling, Rowan Lester, Peter Karmis

68 - Toto Thimba Jnr, Jordan Duminy, Pierre Viallaneix, Keenan Davidse, Michael Hollick, Nikhil Rama, Joe Long, Rourke van der Spuy, Kyle De Beer, Doug McGuigan, Luca Filippi, Xander Basson, Ryan van der Klis, Keanu Pestana, Hayden Griffiths

69 - Christian Kriek, Karabo Mokoena, Stuart Krog, Heinrich Bruiners, Austin Bautista, Jaco Prinsloo, Estiaan Conradie, Ricky Hendler, Keagan Thomas, Albert Venter

70 - Marcus Sandile Taylor, Joe Knox, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Stals Swart, Herman Loubser, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jean Hugo, Rhys West, Rupert Kaminski, Luke Brown, Werner Deyzel, Christiaan Basson, Quintin Wilsnach, Gregory Mckay, Gerhard Pepler, CJ du Plessis, Jacques P de Villiers, Warwick Purchase

71 - Kieran Vincent, Oliver Bekker, Robson Chinhoi, Stephen Ferreira, Jaco Ahlers, Jake Redman, Jordan Burnand, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Makhetha Mazibuko, Tyrone Ryan, Jean-Paul Strydom, Ruan Korb, Brandon-Jude Rennie, James Pennington

72 - Luke Mayo, Ethan Smith, JJ Senekal, Jonathan Broomhead, Hennie O'Kennedy, Samuel Simpson, Yurav Premlall, Paul Boshoff, Thabiso Ngcobo, Tyron Davidowitz, Jason Broomhead, David Meyers, Kyle McClatchie, Graham van der Merwe, Keelan van Wyk, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa

73 - Simon du Plooy, Thomas Spreadborough, Jacques Blaauw, Christiaan Burke, Fredrik From, Otto Van Buynder, Sentanio Minnie, Zachary Chegwidden, Jacquin Hess, Benjamin Van Wyk, Jason Roets, Anthony Michael, Wynand Dingle, Conner Mackenzie, James Mack

74 - Jastice Mashego, Tomas Gana, Sean Cronje, Tumelo Molloyi, Tristen Strydom

75 - Nathan Koen, Keegan Mclachlan, Danie Van Niekerk, Mandla Dlamini Jnr, Brandon Stone, Eric Wowor

76 - Ruan de Smidt, MJ Viljoen, Slade Pickering, Ruan Conradie, Nick Cunningham, Chang Sum Nam, Franklin Manchest

77 - Raymond Mathonsi, Allister de Kock, Ruan Groenewald, Thabang Simon, Nhlanhla Mtsetfwa

78 - Dylan Mostert, Jabulani Vilakati, Slenda Sithebe, Matthew Spacey, Machawe Maziya

79 - Albert Zungu, Jabulani Mabaso, Thanda Mavundla

81 - Sanele Myeni

82 - Sifiso Vilane, Nicholus Vilakati, Umar Davids

84 - Robert Shiba