Bryce’s broomstick putter cleans up at Outeniqua course

Something had to give, and for Bryce Easton it was his putter. After months of playing what he felt was his best golf but not getting the results, Easton switched to a broomstick putter.

He carded a 63 to lead Thursday ’ s first round of the Dimension Data Pro-Am at Fancourt.

Playing the Outeniqua course in this Sunshine Tour and European Challenge Tour co-sanctioned tournament, Easton’s round of nine under par earned him a two-stroke lead over Frenchman Benjamin Hebert before the afternoon field struggled with wind and rain.

“I’ve never gone super low on Outeniqua, so that was nice,” said Easton, who will face The Links on Friday — part of the tournament ’ s rotation between the three Fancourt courses: the Outeniqua, Montagu and Links.

“I’ve found myself in a really strange space where I’ve been knocking on the door and playing good golf and have been close to some of my best ever golf technically, but the results just haven’t been there. My putting cost me a lot of shots on the DP World Tour last season, and I lost my card there.

“So I’ve made a switch to the broomstick putter. I’ve been picking the brains of a few golfers on Tour who use it well.

“I’m just trying to learn how to use it. It’s a totally different method, and it’s felt progressively better. But it has taken time.”

Behind him, Hebert looked comfortable with his putting as he started his round with successive birdies and then went into Outeniqua’s back nine with two birdies and an eagle in his first three holes. He carded a 65 for the round.

Both Easton and Hebert are cautiously optimistic of their starts in this event, with Friday’s weather expected to test the field again.

“I’ve heard the horror stories about the weather on Friday and I’m playing the Links.... All I can do is play what’s in front of me,” said Easton.

SA’s Luca Filippi, Stefan Wears-Taylor, Jacques Blaauw and Daniel van Tonder, as well as Spain’s Victor Pastor, will start the second round on six under par, while defending champion Oliver Bekker is four shots off the lead.