With play suspended in the first round of the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship on Thursday, Erik van Rooyen had completed his first round at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina in five-under-par 65.
He made five birdies and no dropped shots as he extended his run of good form from his maiden PGA Tour victory last week to be in a share of ninth place, three shot behind the first-round leader Russell Henley of the United States, who had also completed his first round.
There were 22 players still out on the course when the horn sounded, bringing an end to the day’s play because of darkness.
Henley’s eight-under 62 gave him a two-stroke lead over seven players on six-under, while Van Rooyen shared ninth with eight other players, all of whom had completed their rounds.
Van Rooyen’s good form was evident in a number of keys statistics: He averaged over 330 yards off the tee; he hit 11 of the 14 fairways; and he hit 15 of the 18 greens in regulation.
Branden Grace also had a good start to the tournament, signing for a four-under-par 66 with five birdies and a dropped shot – on the 18th after he started his round on the 10th. Dylan Frittelli was one-under, while Charl Schwartzel battled his was to a four-over 74. Louis Oosthuizen withdrew from the tournament before it began, and South African turned Slovak Olympic medallist Rory Sabbatini was on four-under after his first round.
