HotelPlanner Tour
Brandon Moyo
Justin Harding: Image Credit - Sunshine Tour Images
SOUTH African professional Justin Harding got off to a solid start to lead the African contingent at the Hainan Open, which teed off at Sanya Luhuitou GC, Donghai Bay, Sanya, Hainan Island, China, on Thursday.
Harding carded a flawless opening seven-under-par 65 to sit tied for second, three shots off the lead.
The 40-year-old, who is a one-time winner on the HotelPlanner Tour, picked up birdies at the fourth and fifth holes, followed by an eagle at the sixth for an outward 32. After the turn, he added three more birdies at the 14th, 17th and 18th for an inward 33.
He is tied for second with Mingrui Ma, Tapio Pulkkanen and Callum Farr, while Joseba Torres holds the lead on 10-under-par 62.
The South African duo of Deon Germishuys and Louis Albertse are tied for 13th on four-under-par 68, while Martin Vorster, Wilco Nienaber and Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent are one shot further back, tied for 28th on three-under-par 69.
MJ Viljoen is tied for 66th following an opening 71. Ryan Van Velzen opened with a level-par 72 and is tied for 79th, while Bryce Easton carded a 73 and is tied for 102nd.
