Scottish trio get off to good starts in Joburg

SCOTTISH golf’s encouraging start to 2012 continued as David Drysdale, George Murray and Marc Warren all fired low scores in a weather-interrupted first round of the Joburg Open.

On a day when thunderstorms prevented around half the field completing their opening circuits, Drysdale and Murray both signed for six-under-par 65s over Royal Johannesburg and Kensington’s West Course, while Warren was also well-placed in the clubhouse after a 66.

Drysdale finished third in this event two years ago and was also in contention heading into the final round 12 months ago before closing with a 77 to finish 13th.

Taking up where he’d left off when closing with a 67 to secure a top-20 finish in the season-opening Africa Open on Sunday, the 36-year-old from Cockburnspath bagged eight birdies, five of which were in a back nine of 30.

“That’s as well as I have played for a while but it’s the easiest of the two courses and you’ve got to kind of expect that sort of score,” he said. “The par-5s are easily reachable and the other course is a lot harder.

“But it is a good start and I’m pleased with that. It’s a tournament I obviously like and my game is in good shape, which is unique for me at this time of the year, I suppose.”

Murray also showed his liking for South Africa when he finished second in the Alfred Dunhill Championship in November but got his season off to a disappointing start by missing the cut in the Africa Open.

“I drove the ball very well and putted a lot better – that was the difference today,” said the Fifer, who is able to organise his season better this year thanks to finishing 81st in the 2011 Race to Dubai.

“It is easier to plan what you are going to play in,” added Murray. “For instance, I’m already in the field for the Abu Dhabi event in a fortnight’s time.”

Warren, who has regained his Tour card for this season, had five birdies in a flawless opening effort.

The two-time Tour winner has been working hard with coach Pete Cowen over the past few weeks and is determined to make a strong start to the season.

“My swing is better than it has ever been and my confidence is high,” said Warren. “I have worked on my weaknesses and will continue to do so.

“I sat down with Pete and discussed my schedule and what I want to achieve this year. After this event, I’m going to play Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Dubai and India back-to-back.

“It’s a schedule designed to let me build up some momentum early on and, hopefully, see me move up the Race to Dubai rankings in a hurry.”

England’s Jamie Elson and Ireland’s Damien McGrane shared the clubhouse lead.

Elson, who holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the final green of the European Tour’s qualifying school at the end of last year to secure his card, made a flying start to 2012 with an eight-under-par 63.

That matched the earlier effort of McGrane, who managed to reach the clubhouse before thunderstorms halted play.

Stirling’s Craig Lee was among those going well out on the course. The Challenge Tour graduate was four-under at the turn, having started birdie-eagle before picking up another shot at the ninth.