The Olympian carded an impressive four-under-par 67 at the challenging links course, sharing top spot on the leaderboard with four other players.

Bezuidenhout enjoyed a hot streak on the front nine, sinking three consecutive birdies on the 5th, 6th, and 7th holes. He added an eagle on the par-five 12th to cap off a solid round. His only blemish came on the par-four 11th, where he dropped a shot with a bogey.

Dean Burmester. Photo: Stringers

He shares the lead with Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen, China’s Li Haotong, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, and Harris English of the USA – all of whom also carded rounds of four-under-par.

Bezuidenhout will tee off for his second round at 9:36 on Friday morning.

Former Bloemfontein professional Dean Burmester was the next-best South African after signing for an even-par 71 to sit in a share of 32nd. He returns to action at 8:41 on Friday.

Louis Oosthuizen. Photo: Pedro Salado/LIV Golf

It was a frustrating day for the rest of the South African contingent.

Shaun Norris finished on one-over-par to tie for 45th, while Thriston Lawrence and Justin Walters both signed for two-over-par rounds to settle in a tie for 70th.

Reigning SA Open champion Dylan Naidoo, making his Open debut, ended the day at three-over-par in a tie for 96th. Meanwhile, 2012 champion Louis Oosthuizen battled to a six-over-par 77, leaving him tied for 134th alongside Aldrich Potgieter. 

Dylan Naidoo. Photo: Sunshine Tour

Darren Fichardt fared even worse, carding a seven-over-par 78 to finish tied for 144th. Daniel van Tonder, the current Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner, shot an eight-over-par 79 to sit tied for 150th.

Amateur Bryan Newman endured a nightmare start, struggling to an 11-over-par 82. He is currently in the last place, 156th.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg