Ahlers didn’t drop a single shot on a windy opening day and with some tough pin placements to test this field of the leading available professionals within the top 50 on the Sunshine Tour’s Luno Order of Merit.

The trio of Casey Jarvis, Keenan Davidse and JJ Senekal are one shot behind him. Jarvis is again hunting a maiden Sunshine Tour title in his rookie season, and less than a week after shooting only the second 59 in Sunshine Tour history.

It’s been a busy season for Ahlers as he’s divided his time between the Sunshine Tour and Asia, and he’d love nothing more than to claim a victory at Serengeti this week.

“I didn’t play much in South Africa, but I finished third in the SDC Championship which secured my place in this field. This is a tournament I just love and want to win, so this is a good start,” he said.

“It’s a good golf course. The wind was blowing and there were a few tough pin placements, but the course was also soft which helps with the scoring. I’m really happy I didn’t make a bogey.”

Behind him, Jarvis is once again near the top of the leaderboard in what has been a stellar rookie season on the Sunshine Tour where he’s challenged for a maiden title on several occasions.

“I’m getting more comfortable in this position now and just want to keep learning. I didn’t think I’d be here playing in a Tour Championship in my rookie season and I’m really proud of myself for achieving that,” he said.

“There was a bit of wind the whole day – probably about a club-and-a-half. I played well. I struggled a bit with my wedges but I’m happy with my start. I rolled in the putts I needed to make.”

And Davidse was also more than happy with his opening round as he’s struggling with bronchitis and is on medication this week.

“I’m quite exhausted, so I’m really excited about my round today. I don’t have any expectations. Today I was just focused on whether I could finish the round,” he said. – Michael Vlismas

Scores:

66 - Jaco Ahlers

67 - Casey Jarvis, Keenan Davidse, JJ Senekal

68 - Jacques Blaauw, Pieter Moolman, Oliver Bekker, Heinrich Bruiners

69 - Luca Filippi

70 - Herman Loubser, Jaco Prinsloo, Ryan Van Velzen, Wilco Nienaber, Daniel van Tonder, Hennie Otto

71 - Hennie du Plessis, Hennie O'Kennedy, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jake Redman, Brandon Stone, Jaco Van Zyl, Jean Hugo

72 - Kyle Barker, Dylan Mostert, Dan Erickson, Louis Albertse, Wynand Dingle, Dylan Naidoo, Thriston Lawrence, Martin Rohwer, Combrinck Smit

73 - Jayden Schaper, Malcolm Mitchell, Bradley Bawden, Benjamin Follett-Smith, Lyle Rowe

74 - Martin Vorster, Sean Bradley, Ockie Strydom

75 - Ruan Korb, MJ Viljoen

76 - Keagan Thomas, Stephen Ferreira, Albert Venter, Neil Schietekat