Brandon Stone was one of three South Africans who got their campaign off to a good start on Thursday in the first round of the European Tour’s Dutch Open at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands with a four-under-par 68.
Stone’s round of six birdies and two bogeys out him in a share of 13th place, three shots off the lead which was held by Ireland’s Niall Kearney who had a bogey-free 65. Kearney led by one from Martin Simonsen of Denmark and Maximilian Keiffer of Germany, with former Cape Town Open champion Rhys Enoch of Wales and seven other players in a share of fourth on five-under.
Stone’s game was dialled in, with many of his approaches going close, and, when they didn’t, he was able to convert some unlikely birdie opportunities with his good putting. He shared 13th with Justin Harding and Wilco Nienaber, as well as eight other players. Harding had seven birdies and three bogeys, and Nienaber, enjoying some of his best golf in a while, had five birdies and a bogey on his card.
Dean Burmester also had a solid start, continuing his recent run of good form with a three-under 69 for a share of 24th with Louis de Jager. Jacques Kruyswijk, who won last week on the Sunshine Tour, opened with a one-under 71, while Branden Grace was on level-par.
Further down the leaderboard, Daniel van Tonder carded a one-over 73, and zander Lombard a two-over 74. Bryce Easton was on three-over, and Haydn Porteous on seven-over.