Mixed performances from German players at the Nedbank Golf Challenge as the field spreads out after round one.
The opening round of the DP World Tour event at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Gary Player Country Club, Sun City, South Africa, saw plenty of birdies at the top of the leaderboard, while German players struggled on the front nine. Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan leads by three shots.
Front Nine Troubles for Siem and Von Dellingshausen
German veteran Marcel Siem had a rough start to the $6 million event. He opened with a birdie on hole 10, but it remained his only one of the day. Three bogeys on the front nine led to a +3 finish, placing him near the bottom of the leaderboard.
Nicolai von Dellingshausen, coming off strong recent performances, also carded a +3. Despite five birdies, he recorded four bogeys and a double bogey, most of which came on the front nine. Starting from the 10th tee, he was -3 after seven holes but couldn’t maintain the momentum.
Both players are tied for 54th, five shots outside the top 20. With no cut in the tournament, they still have a chance to climb the leaderboard in the coming rounds.
Ten Birdies Propel Reitan to the Lead
Kristoffer Reitan fired ten birdies for the lowest round at the event since 2019. A lone bogey on the 17th was his only blemish. At -9, the World No. 59 leads by three over Marcus Armitage, Adrien Saddier, and Jesper Svensson. After finishing eighth in the Race to Dubai 2025 and earning dual status on the DP World and PGA Tours, Reitan continues his strong form. \”It was a brilliant day,\” he said. \”