Staff WriterThe Zambia Open got underway in style on Thursday, with South Africa’s Herman Loubser and seasoned Sunshine Tour veteran Hennie Otto sharing the lead after shooting matching five-under-par 67s at the Nkana Golf Club.
Loubser, who turned heads with an eagle out of the bunker on the par-five second hole, had to work hard early on but found his rhythm as the day unfolded.
“I started off a little bit shaky but made good up-and-downs for par that kept the momentum going. My course management was good today.
At the par-five second hole I holed it out of the bunker with my third shot for eagle, which I haven’t done in a while,” he said.
Their strong play has put them one shot ahead of Sweden’s Fredrik From and South African defending champion MJ Viljoen, who both carded four-under 68s to stay within striking distance.
For Loubser, who wasn’t even born when Otto finished runner-up here back in 1998, the tournament is a blend of new experiences and cherished camaraderie.
“The nice things about these tournaments are that all the guys stay in the same spot, so it’s always very social. The people here are so friendly. I love this place. Africa in general is just a fun experience,” Loubser said.
Clearly buoyed by his round, the young South African is keeping his focus on building momentum heading into the weekend.
“It’s quite a weird position to be in. Usually I try to shoot a low round to make the cut, but it’s nice to put myself in a good position.”
The stage is set for an exciting second round at the Zambia Open, with the leaders hoping to stay ahead in this tightly packed leaderboard.
The Nkana Golf Club, known for its demanding layout, promises to keep things interesting as the tournament unfolds.
