Staff WriterHaydn Porteous wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s one of the most electric ball-strikers on the Sunshine Tour. The South African surged into the lead at The Hyundai Open with a sparkling eight-under-par 64, setting the pace by two shots despite a thunderstorm that halted play for nearly five hours at Ebotse Links.
Fresh off his victory at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Gowrie Farm, Porteous carried that same confidence into this week’s test, producing an eagle, eight birdies, and just two dropped shots in an opening round that screamed intent.
“It was a great round today, starting with an eagle and two birdies. It was just the start I wanted. Unfortunately I made a couple of soft bogeys, but I played some solid golf to give myself good chances. But there is still a lot of golf to be played,” said Haydn Porteous, ever the realist about the task ahead.
His round began with fireworks — holing out for an eagle two on the par-four 10th — setting the tone for a day that balanced control with aggression. The first round will resume Friday at 07:00, with the second round due to start shortly after at 10:10.
Trailing Porteous by two, Tristen Strydom announced his return to form with a superb 66. Still finding his rhythm after recovering from a back injury, Strydom tore through his front nine in just 29 shots — a career first that gave him the confidence he’s been searching for.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start. I holed a 35-footer on the first hole for birdie, which opened the gates and I tried to keep the foot on the gas and attack the golf course. It’s my first 29 I’ve ever shot in my life so it was really cool. I am very pleased with putting up a good score on the board,” Strydom said.
Meanwhile, JC Ritchie, buoyed by recently earning his DP World Tour card for next season, opened with a solid 67 to sit in a six-way tie for third. His steady play added another familiar name to a leaderboard already brimming with Sunshine Tour pedigree.
As the field looks to complete the storm-delayed first round, all eyes will be on Haydn Porteous — a player rediscovering his best form and showing no signs of easing off the throttle. At this rate, the rest of the field may need more than good weather to catch him.
