Martin Vorster’s round of seven-under-par 65 earned him the lead in Thursday’s first round of the SDC Open at the Zebula Golf Estate & Spa. MICHAEL VLISMAS reports.
Vorster focused himself on the pure enjoyment of the game as he finished the day with a one-stroke lead over fellow South Africans Jaco Prinsloo and MJ Viljoen.
“I think it just comes back to playing golf again,” he said. “I got stuck in the technicalities of swinging the golf club and being too focused on that. Today it was just about playing golf, hitting shots and just being like a kid out there.”
It was a key mindset shift for Vorster, who felt towards the end of last year that he was playing good golf but not getting the rewards. And it led to the perfect start in this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour co-sanctioned event, which gives him confidence for this key run of four co-sanctioned tournaments on home soil.
“It’s been a tough couple of months coming into this stretch, but I’m really proud with how I played and fought today. The game felt really solid. I felt like it’s starting to come back again. I’m so happy with the start. It’s been just about getting back to playing golf.”
His round was built on a solid first nine of six birdies and only one bogey. He added another two birdies on his second nine.
“I think we did a lot of good work in the preparation and mapped out the course really well to give myself the best chance for birdies,” said Vorster, who has his wife caddying for him for only the second time this week.
“I love nature so that helps out here, and having my wife on the bag is really special. It’s the second week she’s caddying for me. It’s just fun to have your life partner with you and to be in a bubble out there having great chats. She did a great job today. We just enjoyed it.”
Behind him, Prinsloo also felt the peace of a bushveld setting he grew up in, and drew on that in his round of 66.
“I grew up in Thabazimbi which is not far from here, and I’ve played here a lot and always enjoyed it,” he said. “The course is always in good condition, especially this year. I love being here. It’s just the peace and tranquillity of the bushveld. It’s nice to see the animals and everything else. It’s calming.”
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Photo: Sunshine Tour
Article Link: Vorster leads SDC Open after 'being like a kid'