Haydn Porteous and Tyran Snyders set the tone for 2026 on the Sunshine Tour, and it began with their respective 64s to share the lead in the first round of the Cell C Challenge in Honour of Gary Player at Killarney Country Club on Thursday.
In the first competitive round of the new year on the Tour, Porteous didn’t drop a single shot as he continues his resurgence in the game, and Snyders threw in an eagle two on the first hole to join him as the holders of a one-stroke lead over the field.
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“Today was a good day,” said Snyders.
“I had a specific gameplan for Killarney because it’s a demanding golf course from tee to green. It’s not a course where you can go out and try and overpower it. It’s tight off the tee so you don’t hit many drivers and a lot more irons. Positional play is key and that was my gameplan. I executed it pretty well.”
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The work Snyders did over the festive season on his chipping and wedges certainly paid off on Thursday. Teeing off the 10th, he struggled to make too much happen on his first nine. But it came together on the second nine, beginning with a hole-out for eagle on the first.
“I didn’t get any putts to drop on the first nine. Then on the first I holed out with a wedge for eagle and that was a bonus. Then I made two birdies thereafter with good wedge shots. In the break I worked hard on my chipping and wedges and getting a variety of shots there.”
It also led to Snyders’ first 29 over nine holes in a tournament, on the par-70 Killarney layout.
“I’ve never shot a 29 in a tournament before so I was very happy about that. It’s a great way to start the year.”
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Their nearest challengers are a group of six players on five under, including Deon Germishuys who is looking to build on the momentum of his victory in the Fitch and Leedes PGA Championship last November.
Porteous, after a strong comeback victory in the Vodacom Origins of Golf at Gowrie Farm late last year, continued that form with an opening round that adds to a solid run for him over the past few months.
Since winning in September last year, Porteous has had five top-15 finishes in his last eight Sunshine Tour events. That includes 14th in the DP World Tour co-sanctioned Alfred Dunhill Championship.
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Snyders has also started to feel more at home near the top of leaderboards, and has had five top-15s this season already.
Their 64s were certainly a clear indication of the scoring tone set for this year, with just under half the field finishing under par after day one.
