By Michael Vlismas.
Caption: Luke Brown (Photo by Tyrone Winfield/Sunshine Tour).
ESWATINI – 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.