Gerber chasing second Big Easy title

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Divan Gerber.

Divan Gerber will hunt a second career victory after he shot a 65 to take a share of the first-round lead at the Sunshine Big Easy Tour's Benoni event on Thursday.

“I'm feeling good. I don't think anyone has won twice on this Tour, and that's my main goal,” Gerber said after his opening round.

“I want to do that this year, so we'll have to see what happens this week.”

The 23-year-old leapt into the lead with an eagle on the first hole at the Benoni Country Club and never looked back.

He reached the clubhouse at seven-under-par and joined Greg Petzer at the top of the leaderboard.

“On the first hole I hit a driver and then three-iron and hit it off the green,” Gerber said.

“I managed to hole a 30-foot putt for eagle and that started things. I went on from there and made a few good shots, good putts for a good round.”

The Bethlehem Golf Club professional completed the first nine holes in 30 strokes and avoided bogeys on his first loop in spite of the windy and cold conditions.

He looked set for the outright lead until late bogeys disrupted what was an otherwise flawless round.

“After starting like that you have a choice. On one side you don't want to mess up and on the other you want to go low,” Gerber said.

“I managed a birdie on 10, 12 and 14, but a few lipped out at the end. Then to finished drop, drop is not so good, but it keeps you on your toes,” he said.

Greg Petzer found good form and shot 65 to claim his share of the first-round lead of the sixth installment of this year's Big Easy Tour season.

“I've been playing alright recently,” Petzer said.

“I'm very happy, because I've been battling, not making too many cuts, so it's nice to get a good score on the board. I want to do the same again in the morning, but I don't want to put too much pressure on myself.”

“I'm a rookie and it's my first year on Tour, so it's nice to get a good score. I'm battling a little bit, because I have to pre-qualify for everything and through the winter it's not easy to get into the events. – Sapa