Andy DevaneyJonathan Broomhead’s defence of the Sunbet Challenge Time Square Casino began with the sort of round that makes a 54-hole tournament feel rather shorter for everyone else.
A seven-under-par 65 at Wingate Park Country Club put the champion into a four-way share of the lead after Wednesday’s opening round, level with Shaun Norris, Daniel Cronje and Chile’s Gabriel Morgan.
Broomhead Finds the Fast Lane at Wingate Park
There was little fuss about Broomhead’s work, which is usually a reliable sign that a golfer is doing something irritatingly well.
He collected six birdies and an eagle, surrendered only one shot and finished with a score that immediately placed his title defence on firm ground.
The tone was set at the second hole. A strong drive and a nine-iron left him in the middle of the green, where the sensible outcome would have been a routine two-putt birdie. Broomhead instead rolled in a 45-footer for eagle. Golf occasionally rewards ambition; more often, it merely sends an invoice.
“It was a decent round today. I hit the ball really well and made some nice putts. The scores are out there. The eagle on the second hole was nice. I hit a good drive, followed by a nine-iron that landed in the middle of the green. I rolled in a 45-footer for eagle. I was a bit lucky with the long putt but you take them when they come,” Broomhead said.
Four Players Set the First-Round Pace
A 65 was excellent, but not exclusive.
Norris, Cronje and Morgan matched Broomhead at seven under, leaving four names at the top of a leaderboard with no shortage of pedigree or intent.
That matters in a three-round event. There is less room for a leisurely opening act, fewer holes in which to repair a careless stretch and almost no value in announcing that one is “building nicely” while the leaders disappear over the horizon.
Broomhead understood the arithmetic and, more importantly, played like it.
Proven Winners Form the Chasing Pack
The lead may be shared, but the group immediately behind it is hardly decorative.
DP World Tour winner Michael Hollick sits one shot back, while fellow DP World Tour champions Thriston Lawrence and George Coetzee are two and three shots off the pace respectively.
It is the sort of chasing pack that discourages complacency. One indifferent nine can turn a comfortable position into a crowded argument, and Broomhead will know that defending a title against players of this calibre requires more than one handsome card.
The opening round has established the shape of the contest. Four players have the lead, but several proven winners are close enough to make Thursday distinctly uncomfortable for anyone considering a quiet afternoon.
A Title Defence with No Time to Waste
Broomhead’s return to the event carries an extra edge. Successful title defences are uncommon enough to be treasured, and the compressed format places a premium on beginning before the tournament has had time to introduce itself properly.
“Defending a title is really nice. You don’t always get the chance to do it. Coming back from Europe, it was really nice to put a good round together and putting me in a good position for the next two rounds. With a three-round tournament, if you get off to a hot start and just keep going you should be good,” Broomhead said.
His opening 65 has done precisely that. It has not won him anything yet, of course, except the privilege of being watched rather more closely in the second round.
In a 54-hole tournament, caution can become expensive with remarkable speed. Broomhead has given himself the luxury of attacking from the front rather than attempting a rescue operation from the middle of the pack.
Recent Work Begins to Show
The round also offered evidence that Broomhead’s work since returning from Europe is settling into place.
He came back around six weeks ago, took time away from competition and then returned to practice with renewed purpose following the Sunshine Tour’s winter break.
“I’ve been putting in some good work the last few weeks after taking some time off after returning from Europe about six weeks ago. I’ve been working hard and it clearly showed today.”
The swing held up, the putter contributed and the defending champion handled the urgency of a three-round event without appearing hurried.
There are still two rounds left and three co-leaders beside him, with accomplished winners gathering just behind. Broomhead has not escaped the field. He has simply made certain that, for now, the field must come through him.
