Lester Battles Challenging Winds on Opening Day of AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open
Rowan Lester faced significant challenges on the opening day of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open. Competing at the DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour co-sanctioned event at Heritage La Réserve Golf Links, Lester finished the first round with a score of 82, totaling 10-over-par.
The day proved difficult for many golfers, with wind gusts reaching up to 50 kph. Out of 156 participants, only 33 managed to finish the day under par, while 15 recorded scores in the 80s. Play was suspended due to darkness, leaving five groups still to complete their rounds.
Highlights from Round One
Lester’s brightest moment came on his third hole, the 12th, where he achieved an eagle. However, his performance was marred by seven bogeys and three double bogeys, leaving him nine strokes below the provisional cutline.
Leaderboards and Notable Performances
At the top of the leaderboard, Casey Jarvis and Scott Jamieson shared the first-round lead. Both golfers finished the day at five-under-par with rounds of 67. A total of 13 players are within two shots of the lead, including:
- Dylan Frittelli (former champion)
- Alexander Levy (making his first DP World Tour appearance this season)
- Herman Loubser
Jarvis, who has recently won two Sunshine Tour events, capped his round with a birdie at the last hole. He managed to secure his lead with two eagles throughout the round. Jamieson, who started on the back nine, played impressively by birdieing four of his first five holes. Despite a couple of setbacks with double bogeys, he recorded a total of eight birdies.
Frittelli and Levy’s Strong Showings
Dylan Frittelli, the 2017 champion, overcame a rough start, finishing strongly with three consecutive birdies followed by an eagle on the eighth. He acknowledged the challenging conditions, citing the strong winds and several rain squalls. “I was really happy to be under par today,” he remarked.
Levy, a five-time DP World Tour winner, displayed his talent despite losing his card last season. With seven birdies and three bogeys in his round, he expressed satisfaction with his performance and noted the effectiveness of his recent training. “I’m really pleased with my game; it’s nice to see the hard work pay off,” he stated.
Conclusion
The opening day of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open highlighted both the challenges posed by the elements and the resilience of the players. As the tournament progresses, competitors will look to navigate the course and improve upon their first-round scores during the remaining rounds.
