Fuente: © Southern Africa Tour
http://www.sunshinetour.com/

SOUTHERN AFRICA TOUR: Clark and Tshabalala lead NMI after first round

/noticias.info/ South Africans Tim Clark and Vincent Tshabalala took the first round lead of the Nelson Mandela Invitational presented by Coca-Cola and hosted by Gary Player at the Arabella Country Estate on Saturday.

The pair were nine-under in the betterball format thanks to a seven-under 65 from Clark, who carded nine birdies including six in a row between the eighth and the 13th holes. He had two bogeys both at the par threes on the fifth and 14th.

Tshabalala, the defending champion, made a crucial birdie on the 18th on an otherwise forgettable day to give his team the cushion of a two stroke lead going into Sunday's second an final round.

"I made a whole bunch of putts which I haven't been doing for the last few weeks," Clark said. "I missed a couple of chances in 15 and 16 but made a nice putt on 17 for another birdie and then Vincent saved us on 18.

"He had a bit of a tough day so that was great that he made that putt on 18. It will get his confidence going for tomorrow's second round."

The team of host Gary Player led the fourball alliance competition, which includes the celebrity and businessman in each fourball, on 14-under par two strokes clear of their nearest rivals.

The Black Knight was paired with Trevor Immelman, Coca-Cola's Alex Maditsi and former NFL star Ahmad Rashad. Immelman was the leading light in that pairing with a superb round of 65. He carded five birdies and an eagle to also help guide he and Player to seven-under in the betterball competition.

"We played quite well really," Immelman said. "My eagle on the second got us off but we slowed down a bit before I made a birdie on the ninth and then added three more on the 11th, 12th and 13th.

"Mr Player played really well all day and as always he was the perfect gentleman. For me, with Mr Player being one of my heroes it was great to be able to play well in front of him."

Immelman nearly eagled the par-five 18th which would have earned a charity of his choice R500,000 courtesy of Coca-Cola after hitting a massive 400-yard drive. He played a nine-iron 160 yards to the green but his eagle putt came up a foot short leaving him an easy birdie putt.

"We did what we were supposed to do today," Rashad said. "Every now and again we contributed and then left the pros to do what they do.

"There is something about playing golf with four people that really have something going and who share camaraderie. We had one of the greatest players ever to play and one of the great up and coming players and a couple of guys who love golf. So it was a good mix and we just had a wonderful day."

Maditsi said: "Normally when you play with pros there is pressure but Gary and Trevor made it really easy for us and we had a great time. This tournament was more than I expected and it was a great feeling to walk out there with the professionals and meet people."

"The spectators were nice, they greet you and have a chat and you feel the golf but you also feel the spirit of the people being around."

Immelman added: "I looked at the card and saw that they are a five and a seven handicap and I thought, 'man we are going to have to play well today to score', but sure enough these guys played well.

"We played nice golf as a team and we all went well. We played nice and quickly and got into a nice rhythm and had a good day.
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