'Open Qualifying Lead'

South Africans share Open qualifying lead

01/08/2004 5:07(BST)
The South African pair of James Kingston and Louis Oosthuizen shared the lead on six-under par 66 after the first round of the Open Championship International Final Qualifying tournament at Atlantic Beach.

They carded record low rounds at the difficult par-72 course near Cape Town to hold a one-stroke lead over Tjaart van der Walt on a day when the notorious wind failed to reach its usual gale force speeds.

With just four places on offer to the 60-man field for the 133rd Open at Royal Troon in July the final result is still in the balance, especially if the stiffening breeze continues to build-up overnight.

Oosthuizen had seven birdies and a bogey while Kingston carded eight birdies and two bogies in his round, which bettered his own course record of 69, shot at the 2001 Atlantic Beach Classic.

The 21-year-old Oosthuizen, who shot a 57 at his home course in Mossel Bay as a 19-year-old, had four consecutive birdies between the par-three 12th and the par-five 15th.

Kingston enjoyed a similar purple patch in the same stretch and birdied three holes in a row from the 13th.

Oosthuizen, who will join Kingston as a fully exempt player on the European Tour this year after claiming the 34th spot at Tour School, was so sure the wind would be fierce he took extra precautions.

"I put two extra sleeves of balls in my bag this morning in case the wind picked up! On a course like this anything can happen. If the wind blows the main thing is just to make par and on some holes take a bogey and walk. From the tee you have to find the fairway first and then take it shot for shot from there."

Grant Muller is in fourth place after 69. A group of six players, including European Tour winner Darren Fichardt, are in a tie for fifth on 70 while Scotland's Andrew Coltart shot a three-over par 75.

Click on Qualification for scores. Click on individual names to see players' hole-by-hole scorecards.