Kitayama Firethorn firebrand as great start continues

Kurt Kitayama continued his remarkable start to life on the European Tour with an opening 63, leaving him just one shot off the lead after the opening day of the South African Open.

The American had played just one European Tour event before making through all three stages of Qualifying School to finish tied third in the final stage at Lumine Golf Club and earn his playing privileges.

He made the cut at the season-opener in Hong Kong and then claimed his maiden title last week in the Mauritius Open at Anahita.

Louis Oosthuizen set the early pace at Randpark Golf Club with a 62 over the Bushwillow course but Kitayama carded the lowest round of the day over the Firethorn to get to eight under after round one in South Africa.

He said: “Last week in Mauritius was mentally very draining, trying to stay calm and hold that lead for the entire last round.

“It definitely took a toll coming into this week. I felt tired during the proam and decided to play only nine holes on Wednesday because I just wanted to rest up.

“The relaxed approach definitely helped. I played Firethorn in the pro-am so tomorrow when I play Bushwillow we’ll see if resting helped me. But I think that mentally just getting the rest is the most important thing.”

Madalitso Muthiya also took inspiration from last week in Mauritius to sign for a 63 over the Bushwillow and sit alongside Kitayama.

The Zambian bogeyed two of his last three holes at Four Seasons Golf Club and admitted that spurred him on six days later.

He said: “I did get the feeling a good performance was looming. I played exceptionally well in Mauritius and missed the cut by one.

“I looked at that and learnt from those errors and just built on the positive things I did last week.”

Kurt Kitayama: Taking the Tour by storm