McGrane Sets Joburg Pace

Damien McGrane set about making amends for his missed cut at the African Open as the Meath man set the early target at the Joburg Open this morning. McGrane, one of three Irish players in the 210-strong field, leads by one on eight under.

With the event played over two courses at Royal Johannesburg, McGrane took full advantage of conditions on the West Course to post a round of 63, one ahead of South Africa’s Desvonde Botes.

Peter Lawrie was not faring quite so well having reached the turn on one over while Simon Thornton was among the afternoon starters.

Charl Schwartzel, seeking a hat-trick of victories in the event to join a select group of just six players to win the same European Tour event three years in a row, made a shaky start to lie one over through nine holes.

McGrane carded five birdies in a flawless front nine of 31, before collecting two more and an eagle on the 15th on the back nine. The only blemish on his scorecard came at the 18th with a bogey five, but he still enjoyed a one-shot advantage over Botes.

“I am delighted to be in a good position after round one,” McGrane said after signing for his 63. “For the last three or four years Irish golf has been quite incredible, and I think we feed off each other. For a small nation it sure is great to be there or thereabouts.

“I stacked up a few birdies during the round, but that eagle really turned my round. I played beautifully from start to finish, and this course does give up opportunities. The greens and weather were perfect, so if you’re on your game there are birdie chances. Needless to say you have to make the chances and today I holed a few nice putts.

“I hit plenty of fairways and holed a few nice putts for birdie, it was just the bogey at the last which was disappointing. Apart from that it was a perfect round of golf.”

Botes carded a seven-under 65 to claim outright second, and was the only player in the top 17 to make his score on the par-72 East Course.

Seven players were a shot further back on six under including Scottish duo David Drysdale and George Murray. Drysdale holed a 20-foot birdie putt at the last for an inward nine of 30 just before play was suspended due to thunderstorms.