Warren shines bright in storms

European Tour: American Peterson leads way after carding fabulous nine-under 62

Rutherglen golfer Marc Warren prospered in the pouring rain to be five shots off the lead before bad weather forced play to be suspended in the first round of the Joburg Open.

The Scot shot a four-under-par 68 on the East Course to lead the Scottish challenge with clubhouse leader Paul Peterson completing a brilliant nineunder-par 62 on the West Course to take a two-shot lead before play was halted due to waterlogging.

Edinburgh’s David Drysdale, playing the West Course, was four under through 12 holes when play was halted while Glasgow’s Scott Jamieson was three under after nine on the East Course and Aberdonian David Law one under after six holes.

Amateur Connor Syme and Duncan Stewart of Grantown managed to complete their rounds on the West and East Course respectively and both players are level. Scott Henry completes the Scottish contingent at one over on the East Course.

English duo Aaron Rai and Paul Waring carded matching rounds of 65.

Playing just the third European Tour event of his career, Rai carded seven birdies in a flawless round on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington, with Waring recording nine birdies and two bogeys.

Rai missed out on earning full playing privileges via the Challenge Tour in 2016 by less than 3,000 euros, and was only two shots away from gaining his card at the qualifying school.

The 21-year-old from Wolverhampton finished 45th in the Australian PGA championship before Christmas and missed the cut in the World Super 6 in Perth last week, only arriving in South Africa on Monday.

“It’s my first week in South Africa and my first time on the course, but I played it Tuesday and played it Wednesday,” Rai said. “It’s been a good start to the week so far. My game was pretty steady. I drove it well, hit a few greens, made a few putts and also made a couple of up and downs.”

Peterson, who won the Czech Masters last season, added: “Making birdie on half the holes is never bad and bogey free to match. I put a new putter in play this week and it proved to be a good first round with it.

“I’ve been putting a lot of really good work in with my coaches and the consistency is getting better. I’ve always been someone who putted pretty well and hit good drives, but my iron play is improving, my wedge game is improving and when I’m missing greens I feel really really confident with what I’m doing around the greens.”

South African players have won seven of the 10 editions of the Joburg Open, with Jbe Kruger the best-placed home player after a six-under 65 on the West Course.

George Coetzee, the 2014 champion, was five under after 13 holes of his round.

NOT GOOD: Paul Dunne of Ireland speaks with his caddie Darren Reynolds as he prepares to hit out of a car park during his round