McGrane, Elson lead in Joburg
Friday, 13 January 2012
Damien McGrane and Jamie Elson share the Joburg Open lead after thunderstorms cut short Thursday's opening round in Johannesburg.
McGrane and Elson shot eight-under 63s in their 18 holes at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, with the pair both playing the West course.
Irishman McGrane, a one-time European Tour winner, shot seven birdies from holes 2 through 11 to set up his day, before an eagle at the par-five 15th took him to nine under.
A final-hole bogey was the only blotch on his card.
Elson struck back-to-back bogeys on holes 10 and 11, but six front-nine birdies and four on the back nine helped him into the share of the lead.
South Africa's Desvonde Botes is tied for third with countryman Peter Karmis and Dutchman Reinier Saxton on seven-under par.
A group of six are tied in sixth spot on six under, including South Africans Shaun Norris, George Coetzee, Spaniard Carlos Del Moral, Scots George Murray and David Drysdale, and Swede Joel Sjoholm.
England's Robert Rock and Andy Sullivan are through 15 and sit on five-under par among a group of 10 players tied for 12th position, one of which is local hero Retief Goosen.
Daniel Gaunt is the best-placed Australian on three-under par in a share of 32nd spot while compatriot Scott Strange is four shots further back on one over and in equal 136th position.