The first day of the Sunshine Tour’s Joburg Open saw almost constant rain from the early morning of March 5 and lightning, but this did not dampen the moods of elite golfers and former winners.

The 45-minute delay due to the lightning means the first round will be completed today in the morning.

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Sunshine Tour’s Michael Vlismas noted, “South Africa’s Jayden Schaper didn’t drop a single shot in heavy rain, despite a suspension of play for lightning.

“England’s Nathan Kimsey ran onto the tee with 30 seconds to spare after making it in as first reserve through a late withdrawal to see them share the clubhouse lead with Germany’s Maximilian Steinlechner on a wild first day of the Joburg Open.”

Vlismas added that Schaper, Kimsey and Steinlechner performed well with their opening rounds of six-under-par 64 for a one-stroke clubhouse lead over Wilco Nienaber, Jacob Olesen, Darius van Driel and Hugo Townsend.

South Africa’s Luke Brown was seven under through 12 holes, and Spain’s Angel Ayora was on six under with three holes to complete.

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Vlismas added that Jacques Kruyswijk, who lost in a playoff for this title last year, and former Joburg Open champion Richard Sterne made good starts with their rounds of two-under 68, and American Patrick Reed signed for an opening one-under 69.

City of Johannesburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said this year’s edition of the tournament welcomed over 150 golfers from around the world.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Musilwalo Nethuzwi and Jaco Prinsloo at the Joburg Open. Video: Asanda Matlhare #Golf #Open #Par ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

“The city is proud to host the Joburg Open. It is one of the highlight events on our calendar and positions Johannesburg as a premier sporting destination. Joburg Open attracts interest as it is broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide.

The scores included:

• 7 – Luke Brown [12]
• 6 – Jayden Schaper
• 6 – Nathan Kimsey, Maximilian Steinlechner, Angel Ayora [15]
• 5 – Jacob Olesen
• 5 – Wilco Nienaber, Darius van Driel, Hugo Townsend, Dan Bradbury [14], Kieran Vincent [10]
• 4 – Jack Hawksby

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