Former Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen emerged from a fog delay to birdie six of his opening nine holes on day one of the Ballantine’s Championship in Seoul, South Korea.
The South African had raced to six under par and one stroke clear of the lead but he then dropped two shots at the start of his inward round before poor light halted play leaving Oosthuizen at four under par after 16 holes and one stroke from the front.
Five players share the clubhouse lead with five under par 67s – Frenchman Jean Baptiste Gonnet, Sweden’s Johan Edfors, Australia’s Kieran Pratt, England’s Matthew Baldwin and South Korean Gi-wang Kim who eagled the last.
Fog had engulfed the Blackstone course early into the round and forcing a two hour and 10 delay before play resumed at 1pm local time in the $2.87m co-sanctioned European and Asian Tour event.
The World No. 7 ranked Oosthuizen and the highest ranked player in the field did not tee up to just before 3pm local time, but burst from the blocks in brilliant manner with four straight birdies including a 20-foot gem the fourth.
Oosthuizen’s bright start was checked when he then played a wild drive left at the par five, fifth hole but he still managed to chip from off the green and one-putt to save par.
He quickly put that aside to bounce back and birdie the next before a sixth birdie at the ninth to move to a one stroke lead at six under par.
However Oosthuizen, who is also contesting the event for a first occasion, then dropped his first shot of the day with a bogey at 10 and then a second bogey at the 12th to drop back to four under par before poor light halted play and leaving half the field still to complete their first round I got off to a great start and was hitting it really well early on,” said the South African.
“But then on the back nine the wind came in and the weather got worse, and I miscued two shots and paid the price. But overall I haven’t hit it that well for a long time, so it was very encouraging. I was striking it very nicely on the range this morning, and then managed to take it onto the course with me this afternoon, so I’m very happy.”
Edfors had been five under par and leading the field after 10 holes when play was halted but the three-time Tour winner then failed to regain his early momentum to complete his inward half in level par.
“I came out of the blocks pretty good to be five under on the front nine after some really, really good golf,” said Edfors.
“Then we had the fog delay and after not sleeping well it caught up with me and I felt really tired, and then came back out after the stoppage and three-putted the 11th.
“So the back nine was a bit disappointing but overall it’s a really good start.”
England’s David Howell is in a group on three under par and thrilled with his effort after having spent two days in bed due to illness than also ruled out any practice rounds.
“I’m delighted because I came down with something on the flight over here and I’ve spent the last two days sick in bed,” said the former double winning Ryder Cup star.
“It’s a course I know having played here last year but delighted to get away with three under par having just turned up this morning.
“I must have picked up a bug or ate something I guess, but I have been feeling very lousy for a couple of days so it’s very unusual and I don’t think I’ve ever played a tournament pitching up on a Thursday morning.
“So that was the best way to recover some energy even though I was flagging there a bit at the end what with the delay also.
“I know a lot of guys have been struggling to get some sleep but I’ve had plenty the last two days so I was somewhat rested, and I was able to think my way around the course from last year.”
South Korean Y.E. Yang, and the only Asian-born player to win a Major, carded a two under par 70 while defending champion, Bernd Weisberger of Austria signed for a 71.
Weisberger, who bogeyed his 10th and also two of his closing five holes, later Tweeted: “Disappointing finish to the round. Had to take bogey after 68 consecutive holes without one at Blackstone GC. I hate 3 putts.”
European Ryder Cup captain, Paul McGinley signed for a 72 and in his first event in nearly three months.
Scotland’s Paul Lawrie, and the next highest world-ranked player behind Oosthuizen at No. 38, was struggling to be three over par through 14 holes.
