Staff WriterAt the DNi Tour Championship, JC Ritchie fired off a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to set the tone at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate.
This season-ending spectacle on the Sunshine Tour is already proving to be a battleground for top talent, with every shot and every swing drawing keen attention.
Ritchie got his day off to a flying start with birdies at the first and second holes. “I’ve been hitting the golf ball very well the last couple of weeks and it’s always nice to get off to a good start birdieing the first two holes,” he said.
His early brilliance put him ahead of the in-form Daniel van Tonder, whose opening 66 has him hot on Ritchie’s trail.
Van Tonder is enjoying a remarkable season—already with four titles under his belt and currently sitting atop the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit, as delivered by The Courier Guy.
George Coetzee, fresh off his win at last week’s Serengeti Playoffs, and Jacques Blaauw quietly put themselves in the mix too, both carding solid five-under rounds to share third place.
It’s shaping up to be a proper dogfight at the top—and with names like these lurking just behind the leaders, things could get interesting very quickly.
Reflecting on his performance, Ritchie expressed a sense of relief and optimism. “I’ve been playing really well and the game is feeling good. I’ve just been waiting for it to fall into place.
Hopefully this is the week. I’ve been needing and wanting to get back into the winning circle again, but I am not too worried about it.”
His satisfaction wasn’t just about the score—it was also about the flawless round on a demanding course.
“Its always a nice treat to not make any bogeys. I hit a lot of fairways and greens, so that helps to keep the bogeys off the card as well.”
Ritchie’s performance not only highlights his steady hand under pressure but also promises more riveting golf as the DNi Tour Championship unfolds.
