Grace hopes he can reprise his victory from previous year in South Africa, but backed three-time victor and compatriot Schwartzel to shine on home soil.
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“For me, this is exceptional; I really played very well today”, Basson said. Qualifier Mark Williams of Zimbabwe, with birdies on his last two holes, and Englishman Matt Ford, who recently secured his Tour card, shot 67s earlier in the day. “I love the place, love the golf course”, he said.
Basson made birdies on the second, fifth, sixth and eighth to turn in 31 and picked up four more shots at the 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th.
Eleven more golfers are on three-under including 2008 champion Richard Sterne, Pablo Martin, the only man to win back-to-back titles at leopard Creek (2009/10), and Englishman Jeff Inglis, who is based in Orkney.
After another energy-sapping, globe-trotting season, Oosthuizen always enjoys coming back to South Africa in December, particularly for this event, which is played on the border of the famed Kruger National Park.
“He’s definitely going to be a tough contender this week”. However, a double bogey seven at the 541-yard par-5 18th and a bogey at the first took him back to one over for his round.
Defending champion Branden Grace was a stroke further back. Other than that I played well in a lot of events.
“The rough around the greens can get pretty tricky and the key is to hit greens in regulation”. “It’s five weeks (on the tour) in a row now for me, I feel a little bit exhausted but you feel when you come home it doesn’t feel like a normal tournament week”, he said.
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“This tournament has served me well over the years, it’s gotten me out of some slumps and back on my feet”. In last year’s Alfred Dunhill Championship he opened with a pair of 69s before fading on the weekend with rounds of 74 and 75.
