After a hearty breakfast at host Tsogo Sun Maharani, the World Amateur Golfers Championship got off to a riveting start as players arrived at the tees ready to take on the day’s competition. Team Singapore showcased their drive to perform as they charged their way up the field to take the lead on a 277 nett. South Africa were not without their own impressive display of technique, trailing just 3 shots behind Team Singapore to ultimately secure 2^nd place on a 280 nett, while defending champions Team Malaysia took 3^rd on a well-deserved 285 nett.

In the Invitational, Team Poland is leading by three shots on a 141 nett with Team Indonesia 1 taking 2^nd place on 144 nett, followed by Team Malaysia 1 who trails by three shots, finishing on a 147 nett.

‘We are very pleased with how round one has gone with some highly contested scores being carded across all four of the championship courses in KwaZulu-Natal stretching from Durban Country Club, Beachwood CC, Kloof CC and Victoria CC. As an amateur golf championship, the talent this year has been nothing short of a ‘pro-like’ tournament with many younger players rising through the ranks and making their mark. The increase in younger talent this year indicates and further cements the World Amateur Golfers Championship as a leader in the development and promotion of amateur golf around the globe and we cannot wait to see what the rest of the week has in store.

‘Of particular significance to the importance of the event is the attendance again of the championship Patron HRH Princess Birgitta of Sweden who is chauffeur-driven around the province by SMG BMW,’  said Craig Clay-Smith,  spokesperson for the World Amateur Golfers Championship.

27 countries in the Championship and 23 countries in the Invitational are competing over 72 holes in a medal-play format for the prestigious World Amateur Golfers Championship Team Trophy and Title. Up to 200 golfers will also compete within their respective handicap groups, namely 0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 and 21-25, for the Individual Trophy and Title.

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER BOARD: ROUND 1

TEAMS

1^st Singapore 277 Nett

2^nd South Africa 280 Nett

3^rd Malaysia  285 Nett

INDIVIDUAL

0-5 Flighting

1^st Erwyn Rui Lam 66 Nett

T2^nd Henric Larson 69 Nett

T2^nd  Johannes Mnyandu 69 Nett

6-10 Flighting

1^st Tyrone Armist 69 Nett

2^nd Jarmo Kivela 70 Nett

T3^rd James Smith 71 Nett

T3^rd  Matjaz Kavnik 71 Nett

T3^rd Melvin Choo 71 Nett

T3^rd Puguh Sosiantoro 71 Nett

T3^rd Rastam Khairuddin 71 Nett

11-15 Flighting

1^st Clara Ling Jia 70 Nett

2^nd Meravanige Nagaraj 71 Nett

3^rd Mohd Fazli Ramlan 72 Nett

16-20 Flighting

1^st Pierre Heyneke 69 Nett

2^nd Azizul Borhan 71 Nett

3^rd Jing Liu 73 Nett

21-25 Flighting

1^st Xu Liguang 68 Nett

2^nd Tran Tuan Ho 69 Nett

3^rd Kian Lee 70 Nett