Drysdale is top Scot after Dunhill opener

dunhill championship: David Drysdale made an encouraging start in the Dunhill Championship at Leopard’s Creek with a three-under-par first-round 69. It earned the Cockburnspath man, who is something of a South African specialist, a share of 12th spot, three behind leader Gregory Bourdy of France.

Scott Jamieson, winner of last week’s Nelson Mandela Championship, is a shot further back in a tie for 21st but the other Scots in the field made sluggish starts. George Murray and Marc Warren both had to settle for one-over efforts, Callum Macaulay signed for a 74, Craig Lee and Peter Whiteford both had 75s while Tour rookie Scott Henry slumped to an 80.

Bourdy leads by a stroke from a group which includes title favourite Charl Schwartzel and English pair Steve Webster and Richard Bland.