On a scorching Thursday at Leopard Creek, England's Andy Sullivan set the pace at the Alfred Dunhill Championship with an impressive round of eight-under-par 64. Despite the extreme heat, with temperatures soaring above 40°C, Sullivan capitalized on his early tee-off at 7am, remaining flawless throughout his round. His performance gave him a one-stroke lead after the first round, as he highlighted the importance of starting strong at Leopard Creek, where conditions are only expected to get tougher as the tournament progresses.
Sullivan, who has fond memories of playing well in South Africa, attributed his solid performance to his putting, which helped him save strokes throughout the day. He expressed his comfort with the course, drawing from his past success, including his first two DP World Tour titles in South Africa back in 2015. As the tournament continues, Sullivan is hopeful that his well-practiced swing and good form will carry him through the upcoming challenges.
South Africa’s Casey Jarvis, England’s Alex Fitzpatrick, and Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult trail Sullivan by a stroke, with Jarvis making a strong comeback after a tough start. Jarvis, who had been three over after his first two holes, bounced back with an impressive stretch, including three birdies and an eagle on holes five to eight. He credited his familiarity with Leopard Creek, having had success here as an amateur, for helping him recover and find his rhythm.
Other notable players include former champion Brandon Stone, who is just three strokes behind the leader, and defending champion Louis Oosthuizen, who posted a one-under-par 71 despite a challenging hole. The tournament continues with live coverage on SuperSport throughout the weekend, as players like Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester, and many others strive to make their mark at Leopard Creek.
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