Pistorius takes lead

Harare yesterday.
The golfer, who is based at the Silver Lakes Country Club, started from the first tee and played in the same ball with Divan Gerber and Steven Ferreira, teeing off at 11.45 am.
He will start the second day, one stroke ahead of countrymen Lyle Lowe, Matthew Carvell and Irvin Mazibuko who were on 67.
Last year, Theunis Spagenberg shot a 65 on the first day and held on to the lead until he eventually won the Zim Open while Carvell was the runner-up.
Robson Saurombe and Ryan Cairns, tied in eight position with eight other golfers, were the best-placed local golfers on two-under par after the first round.
Pistorius yesterday pared the first hole before sinking birdies on the par 3, hole two, and the par 5 hole three.
But Pistorius had trouble on the fifth where he made a bogey and another bogey on the par 4 hole 8 followed, as he finished the first nine on level par 36.
However, the golfer was in sizzling form after taking the breather as he played towards the clubhouse by firing six birdies on holes 10, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17 for his 30
Had Pistorius managed an eagle on the par 4 hole 18, he could have driven away in a brand new Range Rover Evoque that has been put by Land Rover Zimbabwe as a challenge.
Pistorius could have done better had he not dropped shots twice in the earlier round in trying conditions.
“When I saw the wind this morning I thought that a three-under would be a good score, so this is a real bonus.
“I was two-under through three holes, but then I slipped two back and finished the ninth hole on level-par,” he said.
Pistorius said he held his nerve and played with a lot of character when he played from the 10th tee.
“I did not get too angry with myself. I knew I was hitting it well and making good strokes — and on the back nine that paid off,” he said.
The golfer also paid tribute to his caddie.
“I have a good caddie who made it easier for me.
“There are some slopes that I can’t see, I had to just absolutely trust him — so I must give credit to my caddie.
“On the back nine I started with a nine-iron and hit it very close. On the 11th I sank a good 10-footer for birdie, and then a 15-footer on the par-five 12th, so that made three in a row.
“I hit another one very close at the 14th and then at the par-five 16th I hit a three-wood to about 10 foot. I missed the putt for eagle, but still made a birdie, and then made one more birdies with a 30-footer, which was great,” he said.
After taking the lead on the first day, Pistorius feels he now stands a chance for winning this stop-over of the Sunshine Tour if he keeps his nerve.
“I am feeling good and my game has been pretty solid. I really worked hard in the off-season, and I am really looking forward to this week. I have come here with a lot of confidence.
“We know this game, though, so you have to keep your head down, stick to your routines and hit those shots.
“You cannot win the tournament on the first day, but you can throw it away. I am just glad I have put myself into that position where I can go for it, so happy days,” he said.
Lowe had fancied his chances after going in as to lunchtime as the leader as he had teed off earlier than Pistorius.
Bruce Macdonald, who is the highest ranked Zimbabwean player, finished on one-under-71 and he was among the players tied with 1999 winner Jean Hugo of South Africa and local boy Shane Pringle.