EWEN FERGUSON SETS PACE IN SOUTH AFRICA
 
Bearsden's Ewen Ferguson showed the form that made him British boys champion with a brilliant, seven-under-par round of 65 to lead by one stroke at the end of the South African men's international amateur championship at Port Elizabeth Golf Club today.

The 18-year-old Glaswegian took advantage of the near-perfect conditions to conjure up a flawless performance.

Ferguson, pictured, leads by one from Ugo Coussaud of France and edged two strokes clear of 16-year-old Modderfontein junior Eric Wowor, who chipped in for a pair of eagles on his way to a share of third with Frenchman Jeremy Gandon on 67.

Scottish stroke-play champion Gavin Moynihan from Dublin is on 68 alongside another Irishman, Stirling student Cormac Sharvin.

Ferguson admitted he did not know quite what to expect at Port Elizaberth after rain lashed the course all day Monday.

“It rained so much during our practice round that some us almost got home sick,” the Bearsden golfer joked.

“I had to play the full 18 holes, though, because I haven’t played this course before. It was great go out there in sunlight today!

“Without the wind, the course is pretty defenceless. It’s hard to describe, but the course has a parkland feel while at the same time having a links flavour. It’s a real classic.”

The Scot got off to a birdie-birdie start, collected another pair of birdies at the eighth and ninth and reeled in another brace of birdies at the 13^th and 14^th holes.

The 2013 British boys champion notched his seventh birdie when he sank a 30ft putt at the par-four 17^th.

“I boxed a few short ones, and holed some long ones on the second, ninth, 13^th and 17^th, so the putter was working well overall,” Ferguson said. “It can always be better, but all in all, I’m pleased to be in a strong position early on.”

It was a good day for most of the Scots squad who have been in South Africa for several weeks.

Perth's Daniel Youth is lying joint 10th on 69 while Scott Gibson (Southerness) and Craig Ross (Kirkhill) are backeted in 18th place on the two-under 70 mark.

Connor Syme (Drumoig) is joint 27th on 71.

The only Scots who failed to break par were Ben Kinsley (St Andrews) with a 74 and Greig Marchbank (Thornhill) with a 77.

LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
Par 72
Players from S Africa unless stated
65 Ewen Ferguson (Sco).
66 Ugo Coussaud (Fra)
67 Eric Wowor, Jeremy Gandon (Fra).
68 Ian Snyman, Rupert Kaminski, Siegmund Human, Gavin Moynihan (Ire), Cormac Sharvin (Ire).
69 Dylan Naidoo, Luke Trocado, Bryce McCabe, Daniel Young (Sco), Johan Germishuys, Fezekile Kana,  Kyle Barker, Marco Steyn.
70 Daniel Mantel, Scott Gibson (Sco), Darin de Smidt, Craig Ross (Sco), Gary Hurley (Ire), Andrew van der Knaap, Michael-James Steyn, Rosswell Sinclair, Alexandre Daydou (Fra).
71 Angus Ellis-Cole, Connor Syme (Sco), Andre Nel, Tom Watson, Philip Kruse,  Duncan van der Vyver, Sentanio Minnie,  Reinhardt Blaauw, Ruan Conradie, Jason Smith. Jeong Weon Ko (Fra), Aubrey Beckley, Jacques Smith.

SELECTED SCORES
72 Jack Hume (Ire), Dermot McElroy (Ire).
73 Robin Dawson (Ire).
74  Ben Kinsley (Sco).
77 Colm Campbell (Ire), Greig Marchbank (Sco)
81 John Galbraith (Ire).