Jacques Kruyswijk opened the ISPS HANDA World Invitational at Galgorm Castle and Massereene in Country Antrim, Northern Ireland on Thursday with a three-under-par 67 on the Massereene course to take up a share of 11th in the European Tour event.
He made four birdies and a bogey in his opening round, and was five shots off the lead which was held by England’s Jordan Smith who had a bogey-free eight-under 62 at Galgorm Castle, which included a back nine with seven birdies for a 29.
Smith had a two-stroke edge over Scottish veteran David Drysdale and Matthias Schmid of Germany, who has just turned professional after winning the Silver Medal at the Open Championship.
Next best of the South Africans in the field was Hennie du Plessis, who overcame a double-bogey and a bogey in his two-under 68 at Massereene. Jayden Schaper also had a double-bogey on his card, as well as two bogeys and five birdies for his one-under 69 at Galgorm Castle.
Justin Harding and Bryce Easton were each on level-par after their opening rounds at Massereene, while Haydn Porteous was one-over at the same course.
