Darren Fichardt fired a first round 64 in the Telkom PGA Championship to claim a one shot lead at Country Club Johannesburg.
Fichardt missed only one fairway and didn’t make a single bogey on his way to eight under par in South Africa’s second oldest professional tournament.
Trevor Fisher Junior is his nearest challenger, with young Free State professional Dean Burmester on six under.
“I’ve been working really hard. Really, really hard,” said Fichardt.
“I’ve been hitting 500 to 600 balls a day, so I’m not surprised. I was going through the motions out there, just picking my targets off the tee and making sure I hit fairways and greens.
“The course is playing long and longer hitters have an advantage here. But the rough is up and the greens firm, so fairways are always a winner. But most importantly the putter needs to work, and that’s really good right now.”
Fisher Junior was also pleased with his putting performance. He has four putters in his car boot this week, and a whole lot more in his garage at home.
“If they don’t work, I change them,” he said. “But this one seems to be behaving. It was a very good day. You’ve got to get off to a good start here because the guys will make lots of birdies.”
