Bryce Easton led a trio of South Africans to a good start in the Cazoo Open supported by Gareth Bale at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, on Thursday as he opened with a three-under-par 68.
That put him in a share of 11th, together with Justin Harding and Jacques Kruyswijk. They were four shots off the first-round lead which was held by the young Swede Vincent Norrman, who had a bogey-free 64 to continue the impressive start to his professional career. Norrman was joined on seven-under by Spaniard Nacho Elvira.
Easton made five birdies and two bogeys for his 68, while Harding had an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys. Kruyswijk had six birdies and three bogeys.
The next South African on the leaderboard was Zander Lombard, a long way back on one-over 72. Haydn Porteous signed for a two-over 73, while Justin Walters was on four-over after his first round. At the time of writing, Daniel van Tonder was one-over through 14 holes.