SCOTLAND’S STEVEN O’Hara handled the pressure of trying to save his European Tour card to take a share of the first-round lead in the South African Open yesterday.
O’Hara, who began the year with a fourth-place finish at the Africa Open, needs at least another at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Serengeti course and began with a seven-under-par 65.
A team-mate of Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell in the 2001 Walker Cup, the 31-year-old shares top spot with South African Jbe Kruger.
Twice winner Retief Goosen is among those only one behind, while five-time champion Ernie Els began his title defence with a 69 and England’s Simon Dyson – at 32nd in the world the highest-ranked player in the field – with a 70.
Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin shot a three under par 69.
O’Hara, who eagled the 576-yard eighth and had six birdies, said: “I hit a lot of great shots. I had it inside 10 feet pretty much every hole and felt I could have made more birdies.”
He is 134th on the Tour money list and has to climb to 118th to be exempt for next season.
As things stand this is his last opportunity, but a top-five finish would give him a place in next week’s Hong Kong Open.
O’Hara had a golden chance at the Czech Open in August to make his immediate future secure, leading with a round to go before dropping to fifth with three closing bogeys.
Kruger led by four halfway through last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, but finished only joint ninth after two closing rounds of 73.
“This is the SA Open, it’s the biggest event when you grow up,” he said. “Just to take it one shot at a time is the most important thing.”
Goosen, beaten by a shot in Durban last December, reached seven under as well and then had back-to-back bogeys, but finished in style by almost holing his tee shot to the 230-yard ninth.
Like Els, he has just fallen out of the game’s top 50 and has been battling injury.
“The whole year’s been a struggle, but my back’s been better the last month and the exercise I’m doing is helping,” he said.
Goosen shares third spot with fellow South Africans Merrick Bremner, David Hewan and Tyrone Mordt.
