Dec 13,2024
Englishman Andy Sullivan felt it was important to get off to a fast start after producing a flawless 64 to lead the Alfred Dunhill Championship by one shot after the first round.
Morning starter Sullivan fired eight birdies and no bogeys on Thursday to set the early clubhouse target at eight under par and no-one in the afternoon groups was able to match his total in blistering conditions at Leopard Creek Country Club.
South Africa is a home from home for Sullivan, who secured his first two DP World Tour victories in the country in 2015, and he is pleased to have a low score already in the bag as he anticipates a tough week ahead.
He said: "It's important to get off to a good start because you know at the weekend it’s going to get tougher and tougher.
"This place generally doesn’t get easier so getting off to a good start’s nice, gives you that little bit of a buffer, but you know you’re in for a serious grind over the next couple of days."
Fellow Englishman Alex Fitzpatrick was in a three-way tie for second one shot behind Sullivan, alongside home favourite Casey Jarvis and Swede Marcus Kinhult.
Tom McKibbin shot a 69, inside the top 20, on three under.
