subject: Goose flies low at home [print this page] Goose flies low at home Goose flies low at home
Home favourite Retief Goosen and Germany's Alex Cejka shared the lead after the first round of a rain-affected South African Open after scores of eight-under-par 64 in Durban.
The pair were a shot clear of world number 12 Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel after their 65s, while Englishman David Dixon was in a group of six players a further shot back on six under. (TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Iron Set )
Amongst them was Spaniard Carlos Del Moral with the rest - Richard Sterne, Jaco Ahlers, Garth Mulroy and Tyrone van Aswegen - all South African.
Ten others, including Open champion Oosthuizen, David Drysdale from Scotland and England's Richard McEvoy, were on five under following a low-scoring day at the Durban Country Club, which was effectively day one after organisers abandoned play yesterday less than two and a half hours after the start because the constant rain main conditions unplayable of TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Iron Set.
Round two, weather permitting, is now scheduled for tomorrow and organisers plan a cut to 50 as they bid to squeeze in 36 holes on Sunday.
Two-time former champion Goosen came into the day having already completed four holes yesterday, but despite his success, he endured a mixed day with two bogeys coming in alongside a pair of eagles and six birdies.
Speaking afterwards, he said: "Obviously, that's the way you want to start. It went nicely for me yesterday, those four holes in the rain when I managed to get two birdies and then on the first this morning I got another one to keep the TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Iron Set going.
"I'm off to a good start so hopefully I can try and start building on this tomorrow afternoon. Then we'll see what happens on Sunday if we play 36 or 18."
Cejka, a four-time winner on the European Tour, went through his round faultless with his eight birdies split across both nines.
"It was a good day," he said. "The practice rounds were not so good for me, but today was excellent.
"There's still three rounds to go, which is a long, long way. Hopefully I can play TaylorMade Burner 2.0 Iron Set well in the next three days."
Four-time winner Els, who is the highest ranked player in the field, has had an up and down year - his last Tour victory coming back in March - but is aiming to now build on his effort today.
"I missed quite a few putts on the front nine and was getting a little annoyed with myself, but I played a really solid back nine," added Els, who came home in 31.
