Mark Maart signed for a superb seven-under-par 64 to take a two-shot lead over Kian Rose in the sixth Betway Big Easy Tour event at Reading Country Club.
Maart made a flying start in Alberton, going four under through his first four holes with back-to-back birdies at the 3rd and 4th. A bogey on the par-three 7th threatened to halt his momentum, but he steadied with pars at 8 and 9.
After the turn, Maart parred the 10th before a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th to 13th. He then holed out for eagle on the par-four 17th and closed with a birdie at 18.
“I just wanted to get the game going,” said Maart, a member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class. “I had a solid game plan today, and I stuck to it. I made a few good putts and hit some good shots. Ultimately, it all just came together.
“A round like this is a big confidence-booster going into tomorrow. My caddie gave me a little pep talk on the last three holes – told me to stop talking and focus – and it worked.”
With only a two-stroke cushion over Rose, Maart knows he can’t get ahead of himself.
“I’m going to have an early night, then come out with the same game plan tomorrow and whatever happens, happens.”
Rose’s five-under 66 was the next best score of the day despite a triple-bogey at the par-three 15th.
Joe Sullivan, the current Order of Merit leader, Jason Froneman and Leon Visser share third place on three under.
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Article Link: Sizzling back nine helps Maart to early Big Easy lead