Ferreira putts to Boardwalk lead

He has produced good rounds in tournaments recently, but an eight-under- par 64 for Tyrone Ferreira in yesterday’s first round of the R700 000 Sun Boardwalk Challenge at Humewood, Port Elizabeth, was by far his best. Ferreira made an eagle and six birdies on an error-free card to grab a onestroke edge over Danie van Tonder and last week’s winner on the Sunshine Tour, Justin Harding. Chasers Alex Haindl, Port Elizabeth’s Titch Moore and Charl Coetzee were a further shot back on six- under 66. “I’ve been playing well recently,” Ferreira said. “I’ve just been struggling with my putting, but [yesterday] the putter clicked and everything just happened.” Of course, making as many birdies and an eagle – as he did – takes more than good putting. Ferreira also struck the ball well and took advantage of Humewood playing as easily as it has been forecast to play all week, with the wind no more than a stiff breeze on occasion. “When we played in the pro-am on Monday and Tuesday, the wind was howling, and they said today was going to blow, but it actually calmed down from the night before,” he said. “I needed a good score, because [today] it is supposed to be blowing hard again.” Harding, who won at Simola last week, continued his fine form. He made seven birdies and did not drop a shot to keep himself right up in contention. “I played solidly,” Harding said. “We got a bit lucky with the breeze which didn’t really pick up as thought, but I’m still trying to work out how I didn’t make a birdie on any of the parfives.” Van Tonder made just the one mistake, a bogey on the par-three 14th. But for the rest, he made eight birdies, and is looming in Ferreira’s rearview mirror. “I really had to just keep it simple in the wind,” Van Tonder said. “Just hit it low into the wind and keep it straight, otherwise you can lose a few balls.” And Ferreira – he will be keeping his eye on the weather forecast.