PRETORIA — South Africa's Justin Harding birdied five of his final eight holes to surge to the top of the leaderboard after the opening round of the European Tour's Tshwane Open Thursday.
Harding, who missed the cut in his previous two European Tour tournaments in 2016, carded a seven under-par 63 and is one shot ahead of compatriot Michael Anthony (64).
Home golfer Thesis Spangenberg, who only came through the qualifying tournament Tuesday to take his place in the field, continued that form with a five under-par 65, despite a double-bogey on the 10th hole.
South African Open champion Brandon Stone carded a disappointing one over-par 71, but at least took bragging rights in his family after father Kevin was four shots worse off following his opening round.
It is not the first time the Stones have gone head-to-head on the European Tour, they also played in the Joburg Open last season.
Thitiphun soars into lead
In Dhaka, Thailand's Thitiphun Chuayprakong fired a flawless five-under-par 66 to take the lead after the second round in the $300,000 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open Thursday.
Placed second overnight, the 23-year-old Thai carded five birdies to take a two-shot lead over South Korea's Soomin Lee and finish the day on 11-under-par 131 at the Kurmitola Golf Club.
Overnight co-leader Lee trailed in the second place with a two-under par 69 while Indian trio Chikkarangappa S. (66), Shubhankar Sharma (68) and five-time Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar (67) shared the third place with two others.
Thitiphun, chasing his first Asian Tour title, rediscovered some of his best form as he negotiated the course with only 25 putts.
"I am feeling very excited to be on top of the leaderboard now," he said, according to a press release from the organizers. "I will just keep doing the same for the next two rounds. I will try not to think too much about my scores. I will stick to my game plan and try to do my best out there."
Joint overnight leader Shunya Takeyasu of Japan slipped to eighth position after a topsy-turvy show, which included a double bogey, and ended the day on a par score of 71.
