Staff WriterZander Lombard turned the Vodacom Origins of Golf into his personal stage on Friday, firing a seven-under-par 64 capped by a thunderous albatross to seize the first-round lead at Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate.
It was a reminder that while knees may buckle, the man’s golf swing hasn’t lost its venom. Back in February, Lombard returned to competition after nearly 10 months off following knee surgery.
On this sun-soaked day in the Cape winelands, he looked less like a comeback story and more like a player who never left.
“The albatross definitely boosted the round. It was such a perfect three wood hit just straight at the flag and which landed about nine metres short of the flag and trickled in. It was cool to see. It’s not every day that happens, and it’s great to have happened on day one of this tournament,” Lombard said, still sounding half-surprised by the spectacle.
That shot on the par-five 11th wasn’t just luck—it was the kind of moment that changes the mood of a tournament. He now leads by two over Altin van der Merwe, with Keenan Davidse, George Coetzee, Stephen Ferreira and Yurav Premlall snapping at his heels three back.
Not to be overlooked, Gabrielle Venter set the early Sunshine Ladies Tour pace with a two-under 69, a number that might just put her in the conversation as the weekend unfolds.
For Lombard, though, the number meant more than bragging rights. It was a jolt of reassurance after months of clawing his way back.
“Since I had my 10 months off with my knee injury it’s been weird. I’ve been lacking a bit of consistency. But I’ve always felt like I’ve been playing well and just not scoring.
To have a low round and get that confidence up, and to see the ball going in the hole and posting a good score is really nice. It seems like it’s all coming together at the right time now towards the end of the year and with some big tournaments to come.”
And perhaps it’s fitting that this little surge is happening here. Lombard’s only Sunshine Tour win came back in 2018, courtesy of—yes—the Vodacom Origins of Golf series.
“The Vodacom Origins of Golf series really boosted my career. I’ve always enjoyed these events. They look after the players well and the pro-am before the events are always fun.
Vodacom has been part of the Sunshine Tour for so many years and I love what they do for the Tour and for South African golf.”
For a player once derailed by injury, this week could mark the turning point. If Lombard keeps hitting shots that disappear into the hole from 200 yards out, the rest of the field may be left drinking Devonvale’s finest vintages just to cope.
