Bautista, Hess race to early Big Easy lead in Benoni

Australia’s Austin Bautista made a strong start to the fourth Betway Big Easy Tour event of the season on Tuesday, carding an opening round of six-under 66 to share the early lead with Jacquin Hess at Benoni Country Club.

The Q-School graduate, Bautista, has shown his quality over a few events now, both on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit and the main tour itself. His second-place finish in the FBC Zim Open earlier in the season stands testament to his ability to perform at the highest level.

“I’m just riding a tsunami, you know,” said Austin of his current form. “I’m on top of this gigantic wave, and I’m going to ride it all the way through to a bigger Tour, bigger wins. A lot of hard work goes into it, and it’s not a stroke of luck that I’ve just started playing good golf. It’s hard work, dedication and doing the right stuff.

“I got off to a slow start today; it was cold. I started to warm up and started to make some putts. I hit a driver on 18, which was my ninth. It was perfect, then I hit a 3-wood to five feet and made eagle. Then I followed that up with a couple more birdies. So, the round was good.”

While Bautista continues to ride his wave, Hess can also easily be thrown into that mix. The Robertson’s Golf Club member, Hess, has had a couple of solid starts to events this season. On Tuesday, and following a nervy front-nine one-over 37 which included two double-bogeys, Hess got into his groove.

An eagle on after the turn solidified his resolve and was soon followed by a hat-trick of birdies from 12 through to 15. Hess, a member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, was not done, however. He made further gains with birdies on the 17th and the last hole to seal a round of 66 to co-lead by two strokes.

“I actually started very well,” said Hess. “Birdie on the first and a nice long birdie-putt on the third. I think it must have been a 50-footer. But I had two doubles before that birdie on nine. The back nine was much better.

“This golf course is perfect for me; I get perfect numbers here, and the greens are just unbelievable. I am happy I was able to take advantage of these fast greens, and I hope to continue playing well so we can see where it all takes me.”

Bradley De Beer and Jacques Van Der Merwe trail by two strokes after opening with respective rounds of 68. A stroke further lies the trio of Ryan Van Der Klis, local man Reece McKain and member of the Papwa Sewgolum Class, Jordan Duminy.

The Betway Big Easy Tour is the Sunshine Tour’s feeder circuit and enjoys the support of the legendary Ernie Els among other patrons.

Scores

66 - Austin Bautista, Jacquin Hess

68 - Bradley De Beer, Jacques Van der Merwe

69 - Ryan van der Klis, Reece Mc Kain, Jordan Duminy

70 - Logan Leisher, Khanya Mkhize, Pearce Lewin, Kayle Wykes, Leon Visser, Musiwalo Nethunzwi

71 - James Pennington, Ryan Tipping, Franklin Manchest, Sentanio Minnie, Steven Le Roux, Karabo Mokoena, Brandon Pieters

72 - Travis Procter, Peter Karmis, Tiger Adams, Haydn Porteous, Vaughn van Deventer, Jabulane Mabilane, Ryan Fricker, Thanda Mavundla, Jaden Deltel, Tyrone Ryan, Slade Pickering

73 - Trevor Mahoney, Louis Liebenberg, Andrew Williamson, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Ronald Rugumayo, Richard Joubert, Toto Thimba Jnr, Umar Davids, John-George Pringle, Thabiso Ngcobo, Slenda Sithebe, Matt Millar, Jeré Brits

74 - Gary Kemp, Austin Cherichella, Evance Vukeya, Daniel Cronje, Hayden Garcia, Liam Ross, Warwick Purchase, Allister de Kock, Thomas Spreadborough, Jason Froneman, Therion Nel

75 - Brandon Gildenhuys, Teboho Sefatsa, Lyle Pedro

76 - Jastice Mashego, Ruben Van Der Berg, Jason Broomhead, Drikus Joubert, Joe Sullivan, David Amm, Wade Jacobs, Behn Heyns, Bernhard Koster, Andre De Decker, Matthew Rushton, Johnathan Ackerman, Dillon Germshuys, Mandla Dlamini Jnr

77 - Caden Sanders, Harry Konig, Keanu Pestana, Austin Mashego, Albert Venter, Marcus Sandile Taylor, Lwazi Gqira, Ace Andile Adam, Makhetha Mazibuko, Philip Geerts, Travis Ladner, Tumelo Molloyi

78 - LB Boshoff, Kael Strydom, Thabang Simon, Brandon-Jude Rennie, Carl Mwale, Eric Wowor, Amilkar Bhana

79 - John Palm, Kyle Kistensamy, Shaheed Patel

80 - Matthew Dennis, Christopher Long, Keelan Africa

81 - Irvin Mosate wa Mazibuko, Alphius Kelapile, M-Jay Xaba

82 - Mark Maart, Tawriq Abrahams

83 - Shaunak Rama

86 - Richard Kruger

RTD - Jarryd Govender