Van Zyl fires in a windy EL

A RED-HOT Jaco van Zyl stamped his authority on the Africa Open with an impressive six-under-par 66 yesterday on a day that saw the bulk of the field struggle in extremely windy conditions at East London Golf Club.

Van Zyl set the target after completing the round following a suspension due to severe wind, but could see his lead disappear when Adilson da Silva returns to complete his first round on Friday. Play was suspended a second time at 7pm.

Playing in the afternoon field, the experienced Brazilian launched a ferocious attack on the par-72 layout and reeled off five birdies in his first six holes. With pars at the next two holes, he poses a serious threat at five under with 10 holes to play.

England’s John Parry finished in third on four under, one shot clear of South Africa’s Oliver Bekker, who carded a 69 and shares fourth place with Dane Morten Orum Madsen, three under through 11 and South African Andrew Curlewis, who has 10 holes to play.