Thriston Lawrence dominates day one at DP World Tour's Joburg Open with stellar 62

Lawrence birdied five of the first six holes at Houghton Golf Club and picked up three more shots on the back nine to finish eight under par, three shots ahead of fellow South African Nikhil Rama.

Defending champion Dan Bradbury was part of a 10-way tie for third on four under, which included compatriot Andy Sullivan, Scotland's Stephen Gallacher and Welshman Stuart Manley.

Lawrence credited a "hot putter" for his brilliant round, which came just four days after he narrowly missed out on claiming one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer for the highest finishers in the Race to Dubai who are not already exempt.

"It's unfortunate but you're going to miss a lot of cuts by one shot, you're going to finish second by one quite a few times," Lawrence told Sky Sports.

"It happens in life, we're used to it. There's a long way to go until the end of the year to get one of those 10 cards but I'm just out here trying to do my job and enjoy it.

"It's definitely nice to be in South Africa and be home and play these events."

Bradbury, who led from start to finish in just his third DP World Tour event 12 months ago after receiving a last-minute sponsor's invite, carded an eagle, three birdies and a solitary bogey in his 66.

"It's a 66 so I can't really say I'm unhappy," Bradbury said.

"There was a lot of good golf in there. It felt like a couple of times I didn't get rewarded for that so it could have been a couple better, but hopefully the putts will drop tomorrow.

"I'm tired to be honest, but I've been playing good golf so it kind of carries you through. I think if you start struggling it'll be harder to recover but I'm playing fine at the minute and, as long as I am, I'll keep playing."

 

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