Friday 8 January 2016 15:48, UK
Jaco Van Zyl posted a seven-under 65 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the SA Open, as Andy Sullivan got his title defence off to a disappointing start.
Sullivan, who claimed the first of three victories last season with a dramatic play-off victory at Glendower GC, stuttered to a three-over 75 to lie 10 shots adrift of the South African in Johannesburg.
Players and caddies wore black ribbons in tribute to Christy O'Connor Jr, whose death was announced on Wednesday, while the threat of lightning saw play suspended for the day at 5.25pm local time with 33 players still out on the course.
Having made the perfect start with a birdie at the par-four first, Sullivan ran up a double-bogey at the next before sliding down the leaderboard in blustery conditions along the back nine.
Sullivan showed uncharacteristic signs of frustration following successive bogeys from the 13th and lost further ground by posting another double-bogey at the short 17th.
Beginning on the back nine, Van Zyl had made a lightning start by reaching the turn in 32 and followed a gain at the first with an eagle at the par-five second to set the clubhouse lead.
"I had a couple of weeks off spending time with the family and had my share of whisky and Christmas pudding so it was really nice to get off to a good start," Van Zyl said.
"It was not like I was holing it from everywhere. I hit a couple close early on, managed to capitalise there and just kept it together the last few holes."
Home interest dominates the top of the leaderboard in Johannesburg, with Shaun Norris' six-under 66 leaving him in second and a bogey-free 67 from Jbe Kruger putting him in a tie for third alongside compatriot Keith Horne.
Tournament host Ernie Els birdied the seventh and carded an eagle on the par-five eighth, but still finished one over par for the day after suffered the dreaded yips and carded a three-putt bogey on his final hole.
Ireland's Paul Dunne was forced to withdraw with a stomach complaint before teeing off, with Nicolas Colsaerts (shoulder) & Richard Finch (achilles) pulling out through injury during their opening rounds.
Watch the SA Open throughout the week live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Live coverage of day two begins on Friday from 8am.
