By Michael Vlismas.
Caption: Jacques Blaauw. (Photo Credit: Carl Fourie/Sunshine Tour).
Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate, Limpopo – A fresh outlook on his game earned Jacques Blaauw the lead in Thursday’s opening round of the Limpopo Championship.
Blaauw signed for a six-under-par 66 to lead by one shot over Cole Stevens in a tournament he finished runner-up at in 2024.
“This is a tournament I like. I really enjoy the challenging course and I’m looking forward to the next couple of days,” said Blaauw.
Blaauw was able to keep the bogeys off his scorecard on day one. But more than this, it was his ability to bring a new focus to his game that gave him the real edge.
“A bogey-free opening round around this course is always a nice one to have. I’m very happy with my game, swung the clubs well and was in control of the golf ball. I also putted very well. I didn’t make any mistakes so I am very happy with how I played.”
“But I also made a little promise to myself that I’m not going get in my own way this week. Mentally I need to get stronger in that aspect, so it will be a shot at a time and a swing at a time, and thinking where and what I want to do, then executing it. I’ve second-guessed myself way too many times and I think that got me in the past. So this week it’s kind of a new outlook, and so far so good,” Blaauw said.
A new outlook from the experienced Blaauw has also brought with it new challengers in the likes of Stevens just one shot behind him, and who has risen to third on the Fortress Rookie of the Year standings. And German rookie Morris Schiefner is also well-placed following his opening 68.
“It’s still a long way to go,” said Blaauw.
“On day one you can play yourself out of a tournament, but you can also never win a tournament on day one. I have placed myself in a good position and obviously want to build on it.”