Springbok-born Bryn Flanagan jumped two clear of his rivals with a five-under par 67 on day one of the MENA Golf Tour’s Jo’burg City Masters which is co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Big Easy Tour.

On a day when cold, wet and windy conditions made things difficult, Flanagan remained unruffled, reeling off one eagle, four birdies and one bogey to seize the early initiative.

England’s Billy Spooner joined the South African duo of Kevin Rundle and Jaco Prinsloo in a tie for second on three-under 69, one shot ahead of a three-man group which included rising amateur David Meyers.

It was Flanagan who came out singing in the rain, thanks to a new putting approach, as well as experience gained from college golf in Houston.

“It was quite cold and wet, but I’m kind of used to the conditions having played in similar conditions back in Houston when I played college golf,” said the 24-year-old Krugersdorp native.

‘I just drew on those experiences and you’ve just got to be patient out there and realise that the majority of the field are going to be knocked down from the word go because they aren’t really happy with the conditions,” explained Flanagan.

Springbok-born Bryn Flanagan off to a flyer with a 65 on day one of the Mena Tour’s Jo’Burg Masters. (Photo – MENA Tour)

Flanagan’s new putting approach yielded some impressive putts on the pristine putting surfaces at Glendower Golf Club, but the talented South African said it was still a work in progress.

“Yeah, I had a major breakthrough with my putting. I kind of had enough of putting mediocre, so I just changed a few things and I’m excited about how I’m putting the ball. I had 28 putts today – I hardly ever break 30 putts – so I’m really happy about that,” said Flanagan.

“The course is beautiful, it’s immaculate. I think this rain softened up the greens, which helps a lot. I wouldn’t say the course is unplayable on a day like this, but if you just be patient and steady you can get a score out there.”

Highly-rated Englishman Haydn McCullen sits on one-under-par alongside four others, including 2007 Johnnie Walker Classic winner Anton Haig, while Thriston Lawrence, the 2015 MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit champion, settled for a level-par 72.

Bryandrew Roelofsz, the winner of last week’s South to East Challenge, stumbled to a 75 and would need to produce something special if he aims to haul himself back into contention.

A seven o’clock start on Tuesday morning will see four groups return in order to complete their opening rounds, among those is Northern Irishman John McClean who sits on one-under-par, with one hole to complete.

An initiative of the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation, the MENA Golf Tour was created in 2011 with the aim of developing golf in the region. It is affiliated to R&A, the worldwide golf governing body based in the home of golf, St Andrews, and the Arab Golf Federation and enjoys the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status.

Multiple European Tour starts, including the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Hassan II Trophy and the Maybank Championship Malaysia in addition to full playing privileges on the Sunshine Tour and exemptions into the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Q-School for the leading three professionals are some of the added incentives for the MENA Golf Tour members.

Leading first-round scores (par-72)

1       Bryn Flanagan                -5

2=     Kevin Rundle                 -3

2=     Jaco Prinsloo         -3

2=     Billy Spooner                 -3

5=     Jaco Mouton                 -2

5=     David Mofokeng             -2

5=     David Meyers (AMA)        -2

8=     Anton Haig                   -1

8=     Craig Hinton                  -1

8=     Haydn McCullen             -1

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