Cape Town Open champion JC Ritchie opened with a two-under-par 70 on Thursday in the first round of the Challenge Tour’s Challenge de Cadiz at the Iberostar Real Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri, Cadiz, Spain.
That put him five shots off the hot early pace set by Belgium’s Kristof Ulenaers who had a two-shot advantage over five players who each carded five-under 67.
Ritchie made three birdies and a bogey in his round, and was joined in a share of 19th place by Jacques Blaauw who made four birdies and two bogeys on his way to his 70.
Oliver Bekker signed for a level-par 72 to head into the second round in a share of 52nd, and likely right on the cut line. Bryce Easton was one-over-par on 73, while Jayden Schaper had a bad day at the office with his seven-over opening round of 79
