The first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, hosted by Gary Player, produced a number of memorable moments and great shots.
It was a day where South Africa’s Branden Grace overcame a shaky start in which he was two over par through his first four holes, and then made four birdies and an eagle to finish at four under and one behind the lead of Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.
And Swede Alex Noren made a solid start in defence of his title with an opening three-under-par 69.
But it was two-time Nedbank Golf Challenge champion Lee Westwood who most impressed Player on day one. In particular, the Englishman’s eagle on the par-five ninth.
“The flag was on the extreme right-hand side of the green...water right next to the green in the front...also water just to the back of the green. There are many intricacies in this particular shot,” said Player.
Westwood took on this challenge and hit his second to about 15 feet from the hole, and made the putt for eagle.
“That to me was absolutely brilliant,” said Player.
