The pair dropped just one shot apiece in their respective rounds at the Betway Big Easy Tour’s 2026/27 season-opening tournament. On his front nine, Strooh picked up birdies at the second, fourth, fifth and sixth holes, while dropping a shot at the ninth for an outward 32. After the turn, he added two more birdies at the 11th and 15th for an inward 32. Du Plooy, meanwhile, enjoyed a flawless front nine, collecting birdies at the fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth for an outward 31. He then dropped a shot at the 10th before recovering with back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th for an inward 33 to earn a share of the lead after the opening round.