Dean Burmester put himself in contention at the BMW PGA after overcoming a slow start during round one at Wentworth on Thursday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
The big-hitting South African found himself one over through five holes but patience and taking comfort in knowing that work off the course was bound to reap the rewards at some stage. It was a case of sooner rather than later as a hot finish helped catapult him up the leaderboard in the first of the European Tour’s lucrative Rolex Series of events.
After opening with two pars, a wayward drive on the 3rd saw him drop his only shot of the day. A missed opportunity to regain that stroke at the par-five 4th was far from the ideal start that the 28-year-old was looking for but things quickly turned around.
‘I was really happy with the round and was striking it solid. It was a slow start but after that, it all kind of clicked into place and I was pleased with how I responded on the back nine,’ Burmester told Compleat Golfer.
‘My game is in good shape after working hard on a few things on the range lately. The birdie on the 6th got me going and the finish was enough to override a few missed chances from earlier in the range.’
The highlight was an eagle two on the par-four 15th.
‘Yeah, that was nice. Just hit my drive dead centre and then followed it up with a high draw 8-iron that pitched just right of the flag, spun and went straight in the hole. That’s always a bonus and to back it up with two more birdies, it got me one behind and I can’t wait to get back out there.’
An opening 66 around Wentworth, home of the flagship European Tour event, was not lost on Burmester.
‘Obviously there is a long way to go but to start like that, on this course, was special. It’s given me the confidence to play a little more freely through the rest of the week. There’s a long way to go but to play well first up at Wentworth, it’s always going to leave you with a smile.’
Burmester starts his second round one behind leader Lucas Bjerregaard at 2:25pm.
Photo: Ross Kinniard/Getty Images
