At the Joburg Open this Thursday, China’s Wenyi Ding and England’s Jordan Smith set the stage ablaze by posting rounds of seven-under-par 63 at the par-70 Houghton Golf Club.
The early start and a course that rebounded beautifully after a heavy overnight downpour gave these two a chance to shine, as they both enjoyed a bogey-free round to share the lead.
In a day marked by unexpected clear skies after a night of relentless rain, the professionals found a rare moment of calm.
Ding, a rookie on the DP World Tour, was particularly buoyed by the occasion—it was his South African caddie’s birthday, and he even promised him a trophy later in the week.
He summed up his performance, saying, “It was good to make some putts today. It’s been a long time. I hit it pretty well, especially my short irons, which gave me a lot of birdie chances.”
Not to be outdone, Smith, returning to a venue he hadn’t played on since the tournament shifted, was equally upbeat about his round.
“I’m just really happy. It’s unbelievable how good the golf course is considering how much water it took overnight. It’s a very narrow golf course with a lot of trees lining the fairways.
There are a lot of different options out there, but for me I tend to go for the driver.
So it was just taking advantage of hitting driver on a few holes and hitting the wedge shots closer, and trying to manage the spin because with the greens being so soft you really have to judge it carefully,” he remarked.
Right on their heels, South Africa’s Malcolm Mitchell and Jayden Schaper, alongside English duo Marco Penge and Callum Tarren, and Germany’s Nicolai Von Dellingshausen, were just a shot behind.
Schaper, buoyed by an early eagle, added, “It was a nice solid start, especially with the eagle on the first hole.
The golf course was playing quite soft in perfect conditions. It’s a straightforward golf course, and I’ve played it a few times.”
As the tournament unfolds, the Joburg Open continues to captivate with its blend of skill, strategy, and the unpredictable charm of the game.
For fans eager to experience the action up close, tickets are available at Sunshine Tour Tickets.
