Peterson goes low in Joburg
Paul Peterson has a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the European Tour’s Joburg Open on Thursday.
The American carded a superlative nine-under-par 62 in soggy conditions at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
The round was enough for a two-shot lead over English duo Aaron Rai and Paul Waring before play was called off mid-afternoon due to a waterlogged course.
Peterson – who is looking for his second title following his Czech Masters win last year – took advantage of the soft greens to fire five birdies in the opening nine before coming home with four more, including a gain on the last.
"It was really wet out there today but I'm really impressed with the with the condition of the course and the greens," said the 28-year-old after the round.
"I heard there was about 140mm of rain over the last few days so hats off to the superintendent and everyone who worked on the course.
"It was fun out there and bogey-free to match. It proved to be a good first round and I put a new putter in play and that worked out really nicely."
In tied for fourth on six under are Romain Langasque, Sebastian Soderberg and Jbe Kruger.
South Africa’s George Coetzee was the closest to the top ten when the hooter sounded and will resume on the 14th hole at five under.
There is much on the line in Johannesburg this week, as the top three players will gain entry into The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July.
Latest
-
NewsReid and Maguire get the better of the Korda sisters as Europe start strongly
Europe’s Solheim Cup team lead their American counterparts by three points.
-
NewsNicolai Hojgaard takes narrow third-round lead in Italian Open
The Dane is looking to emulate his twin brother Rasmus as a European Tour winner.
-
NewsPatrick Cantlay leads by one from Jon Rahm at Tour Championship
Rahm began four shots behind Cantlay but reduced his deficit to a single shot thanks to consecutive rounds of 65.
-
NewsTommy Fleetwood in contention as Min Woo Lee takes Italian Open lead
That gave the 23-year-old a halfway total of 10 under par, two shots clear of Fleetwood, Johannes Veerman, Adri Arnaus and Mikko Korhonen.
-
NewsCatriona Matthew bids to add victory on US soil to home success in Solheim Cup
The Europe captain will be bidding to retain the trophy won in dramatic circumstances at Gleneagles two years ago.
-
NewsPatrick Reed returns with two-over 72 after ‘dark place’ with double pneumonia
Reed returned to action with a two-over-par 72 in the first round of the Tour Championship.
-
NewsSolheim Cup snub in 2019 saw Mel Reid initially reject a vice-captain role
The English player quickly reversed her decision and is back as a player in the latest staging of the team tournament.
-
NewsHenrik Stenson further boosts Ryder Cup credentials with flying start in Rome
The Swede carded a first-round 64 at Marco Simone Golf Club.
-
NewsRory McIlroy happy to simply be in the mix as he bids for third FedEx Cup crown
McIlroy starts the week at East Lake eight shots behind Patrick Cantlay under the controversial handicap system.
-
NewsUSA home advantage and Nelly Korda set to shine – Solheim Cup talking points
Europe’s task has been made even harder with coronavirus travel restrictions.