Staff WriterSouth Africa’s Jacques P de Villiers put on a masterclass in patience and putting as he carved out a sublime 63 to grab a share of the lead with England’s Joe Knox after round one of the Sunbet Challenge at Wild Coast Sun.
It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. But in the howling winds that turn this stretch of coastline into a golfer’s version of purgatory, De Villiers made it look just about manageable.
“Today was really good. I hit the ball nicely with good control. The conditions were, however, really tough,” said De Villiers, who is still hunting his first Sunshine Tour title.
Battling the beast
Starting on the 10th tee, De Villiers was thrown straight into the gale. Holes 11 through 14 are known for being brutal when the wind kicks up, and on Wednesday, they were particularly unforgiving.
“I started my round with the wind blowing a lot. Holes 11, 12, 13 and 14 play into the wind and they are very tough. I got through those at one under par and used my chances from there on.
It wasn’t a very spectacular round but I did make eight birdies and putted well, which helped a lot,” he explained.
That “unspectacular” round just happened to be the joint-best of the day. The only other man to match him was Knox, who looked equally unflustered by the gusts rattling through the coastal track.
Keeping perspective
De Villiers, however, isn’t one to get carried away. Two more days stand between him and that long-awaited maiden win.
“I am really looking forward to the following two rounds, but there is still a lot of golf left. I have to keep my head up and be patient because that is what this course demands. Hopefully some putts can fall and good things can happen,” he said.
Chasing pack
Breathing down their necks is Albert Venter, who carded a 65 to sit two shots back on five under par. A further stroke adrift are Michael Hollick and Samuel Simpson, both turning in tidy 66s to keep themselves well within striking distance.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Broomhead – fresh off his victory in last month’s Sunbet Challenge at Wingate Park – found the going less forgiving. He could only muster a level-par 70, leaving him with work to do over the next two rounds.
What’s next
With the Wild Coast winds forecast to stick around, the Sunbet Challenge promises to be less a shootout and more a survival test.
De Villiers and Knox have set the early pace, but as this course has shown time and again, the real battle begins when patience runs out and the putter cools off.
