MADSEN, HORSEY SHARE TSHWANE OPEN LEAD WITH 63s

FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Denmark’s Morten Ørum Madsen was an incredible four under par for his last two holes as he joined David Horsey in a share of the lead after the first round of the Tshwane Open in South Africa today.
Madsen, third in last week’s Africa Open, had a hole-in-one at the short eighth, then carded an eagle from 12 feet at the par five ninth – his last – to set the pace with a seven under par 63.

That was matched by England’s Horsey in the afternoon, as the three-time European Tour winner produced a flawless display.
Madsen claimed his maiden European Tour title on South African soil last season, and having started on the back nine and turned in a two under 33, holed a 30 footer at the first and responded to his only bogey of the day at the fourth with another gain at the sixth.

The former South African Open winner then spun his wedge to the eighth back into the hole for the 20th ace on The European Tour this season, and closed out his day in style after an excellent three iron approach at the ninth.
“The last couple of weeks I’ve been hitting some shots really close and I actually said to my caddy last week that a hole in one is on the cards pretty soon,” said Madsen.
“Luckily for me it came today. I hit a fantastic shot, I couldn’t hit it better, and it spun back into the hole. That was only my second hole in one and it’s really special to have one in competition on The European Tour.

“When you stand on the next tee you’re pretty pumped and confident. I succeeded in gathering my thoughts and hit a really nice drive and then a great second shot and then sank it, which was a fantastic way to finish. It was the kind of thing you dream about, but don’t expect.
“Today was a great day and I had a lot of fun out there.
“I’ve found something in my game that’s working and I’ve been pretty consistent.”

Horsey turned in a three under par 32, and some immaculate iron play on the way in saw him card gains from inside five feet at the 12th, 14th and 17th, as well as holing a 40 foot effort on the 16th.
“This place demands a bit more than just long hitting,” he said. “It’s nice to play golf courses that make you think a bit more than just taking driver on every tee.
“I plotted my way around, because it’s very much a positional golf course. On the whole I’m very pleased with today’s work.”

The leaders were a shot clear of South African Wallie Coetsee – a runner-up in the Joburg Open a fortnight ago – and Australian Brett Rumford, with Keith Horne, Merrick Bremner, Dean Burmester and Raphael Jacquelin tied for fifth on five under.
The highlight of Coetsee’s 64 came when he pitched in for eagle at the 12th, and he chipped in again at the 17th for one of five birdies.
“Today was special,” said Coetsee. “Things went my way but I’m doing something right. These three weeks have been very special.”
Last week’s winner Trevor Fisher Jnr was in contention after a four under 66, while defending champion Ross Fisher was one under and Andy Sullivan – looking for a third title on South African soil this season – shot a one over 71.

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 70
63 Morten Orum Madsen (Denmark), David Horsey (England)
64 Wallie Coetsee (S Africa), Brett Rumford (Australia).

SCOT'S SCORES
67 Craig Lee (T19)
70 Scott Jamieson (T52)
72 Richie Ramsay, Chris Doak (T104)
73 David Drysdale (T119).

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