JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Dylan Frittelli were both on 4-under in the weather-affected first round of the Masters at Augusta on Thursday.
The round was delayed shortly after starting due to lightning in the area, and as a result most players in the afternoon field were unable to complete their rounds.
England’s Paul Casey, one of the early starters, held the lead after carding a 7-under 65. Americans Webb Simpson and Xander Schauffele were second on 5-under 67.
Oosthuizen was able to complete his first round and signed for 68 to share fourth spot on four-under with seven other players, alongside defending champion American Tiger Woods and countryman Dylan Frittelli.
The 2010 Open Champion Oosthuizen was paired in the high-profile group of US Open champion American Bryson DeChambeau and Spain’s Jon Rahm. The SA player would outscore them both, with DeChambeau signing for 2-under 70 and Rahm carding a 3-under 69.
Beginning on the 10th hole, the 38-year-old Oosthuizen picked up his first birdie at the par four 11th, before adding further gains at the par five 15th and par four 18th to go out in three-under.
A birdie at the par four first followed, before the only bogey of his round at the par three sixth - where he three-putted. He rectified that mistake with the final birdie of his round at the par five eighth to help him finish on four-under.
Much later in the day, Frittelli also began his round on the 10th. A drop on his third hole - the par three 12th would have been cause for concern for many - but not for Frittelli.
He responded with a brilliant eagle three at the par five 13th, before rattling off three birdies in a row from holes 14 to 16 to surge up to four-under after seven holes.
A par at the 17th followed, before the round was cut short due to darkness, leaving Frittelli still with 10 holes remaining in his first round.
Erik van Rooyen was in a tie for 48th after 12 holes, alongside compatriots Justin Harding (11 holes) and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
The only other SA player to complete his round - 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel signed for an opening one-over 73 in a tie for 66th.
African News Agency (ANA)