Garcia’s lead cut to one after late bogey flourish

Spaniard pegged back on ‘tough’ Sun City course as Oosthuizen challenges

Sergio Garcia was pegged back on the second day of the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa.

The Spaniard, looking for back-toback victories after triumphing at Valderrama, shot an eight-under-par first round to lead by four but goes into the weekend just one ahead of home favourite Louis Oosthuizen.

Garcia extended his lead to five shots with birdies at the first two holes but had to sign for a one-under-par 71 after three bogeys in the last six holes at Sun City.

Garcia, who is nine under par, said on europeantour.com: “The course is tough. It’s not every day you’re going to go out there and shoot 64, it doesn’t work like that. I feel like I played quite well.

“I stayed positive, I stayed calm. I wanted to shoot something below 70 and I felt like I had a chance of doing it, unfortunately it didn’t work out but we’re still in the lead. It’s good.”

A double-bogey at the eighth was the only blemish on Oosthuizen’s card of 67, with his round also including three birdies in the first four holes, an eagle at the 10th and further birdies at 14 and 15.

Finn Mikko Korhonen sits third, three shots off Garcia, with English pair Lee Westwood and Aaron Rai, South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli and Ireland’s Shane Lowry a further two shots back on four under.

Rory McIlroy, who needs a top-two finish to keep his Race to Dubai hopes alive, is one under par after a secondround 71.

Matt Kuchar is among a trio of players tied for top spot after the first round of the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

The American made seven birdies and no bogeys to card an opening round of 64 as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing last season.

Joining him at the top of the leaderboard are compatriots Kramer Hickok and Dominic Bozzelli, who both also hit bogey-free rounds at El Camaleon Golf Club.

Bozzelli made four straight birdies on his second nine to propel him into contention.

A total of 15 players are sitting just a shot further back, with defending champion Patton Kizzire among those to hit an opening round of 65.

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, meanwhile, struggled to make an impression, hitting four birdies and four bogeys for an even-par 71.

Picture: Getty Images. Sergio Garcia of Spain lines up a putt on the sixth hole during the second round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Gary Player CC in Sun City, South Africa.