Roos powers to low round of first morning

Posted on February 04, 2015 by Ken

A dream start was briefly halted at the third hole, but South African Jake Roos powered on to the low round of the morning session on the first day of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek on Thursday.

Roos, starting on the 10th tee, began with an iffy drive but promptly sank his second, a five-iron from 163 metres, for a spectacular eagle on the par-four dogleg hole. A birdie followed on the par-four 11th, before the 34-year-old missed the green and bogeyed the par-three 12th.

But thereafter it was smooth sailing for Roos as he capitalised on the easier back nine with three successive birdies from the 14th hole and added two more birdies coming in, on the sixth and ninth holes, both of which are par-fours.

Roos posted a seven-under-par 65, which left him one stroke ahead of Englishman Matt Ford and two ahead of Spain’s Nacho Elvira and South African Michael Hollick.

“The first hole, when I holed out with my second, was just the ice-breaker I needed. The five-iron came out perfectly, it looked good all the way but I couldn’t see because of the slope of the green. One guy put his hand up at the green and I just started laughing and took it from there,” Roos said after his fabulous round.

“I felt good about the day, I was comfortable, swinging nicely and I had some great birdie putts on the back nine, where there are more birdie opportunities. The front nine is quite tough, especially the opening holes. Six is the only really short one and I was able to take advantage there, and then I had a nice putt on the last from 15-20 feet. The ninth is playing long and I had to hit a six-iron in, a bit into the wind. But I was rolling the putts very nicely today.”

Ford, who has just earned a place on the European Tour for the first time after his 10th visit to qualifying school, was alone in second place after a super round that included eight birdies and just two dropped shots.

The 36-year-old said it was his precision iron play that was to thank for his success, leading to 10 putts from inside 10 feet.

Ford was considering giving up golf to become a postman, while Roos earned his European Tour card for the first time through the Challenge Tour; both golfers certainly did not look out of place as they headed the early leaderboard at Malelane.

http://citizen.co.za/291686/roos-roars-to-top-of-leopard-creek-leaderboard/

Thought of the Day

Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who works in you to will [to make you want to] and to act according to his good purpose.”

When you realise that God is at work within you, and are determined to obey him in all things, God becomes your partner in the art of living. Incredible things start to happen in your life. Obstacles either vanish, or you approach them with strength and wisdom from God. New prospects open in your life, extending your vision. You are filled with inspiration that unfolds more clearly as you move forward, holding God’s hand.” – Solly Ozrovech, A Shelter From The Storm

But not living your life according to God’s will leads to frustration as you go down blind alleys in your own strength, more conscious of your failures than your victories. You will have to force every door open and few things seem to work out well for you.

Ken Borland