JC Ritchie opened with a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to lead the first round of the Sunshine Tour’s season-ending DNi Tour Championship presented by RMB at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate on Thursday, but with the in-form Daniel van Tonder just one shot behind him.
Related: Dominant Geroge Coetzee wins Serengeti Playoffs
Ritchie gave himself a great start to his round with birdies at the first and second holes.
“I’ve been hitting the golf ball very well the last couple of weeks and it’s always nice to get off to a good start birdieing the first two holes,” he said.
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Behind him, Van Tonder was also bogey-free in his opening 66 as he seeks to close out a remarkable season in which he’s already won four titles and is currently top of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit delivered by The Courier Guy.
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George Coetzee, the winner of last week’s Serengeti Playoffs, and Jacques Blaauw came through the opening day in joint third place on five under par.
But it was a good start for Ritchie, who felt he finally received the reward for the golf he feels he’s been playing this season.
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“I’ve been playing really well and the game is feeling good. I’ve just been waiting for it to fall into place. Hopefully this is the week. I’ve been needing and wanting to get back into the winning circle again, but I am not too worried about it.”
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Ritchie was impressed with the fact that he didn’t make a single bogey on the demanding Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate course.
“It’s always a nice treat to not make any bogeys. I hit a lot of fairways and greens, so that helps to keep the bogeys off the card as well.”
