2026 Joburg Open: day one digest

Jayden Schaper sparkles on home soil again, Nathan Kimsey makes the most of an unlikely opportunity and mud balls brought the best out of the field.

Everything you need to know from the first-round action at Houghton Golf Course.

Schaper shines in Johannesburg

Jayden Schaper enjoyed another fine display on home soil as he sat one off the lead at the 2026 Joburg Open. The 24-year-old has already won in South Africa this season following his maiden DP World Tour victory at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December and he surged into contention at Houghton Golf Course thanks to a flawless 64. Even a weather delay of an hour and 45 minutes could not hamper Schaper, who carded six birdies to set the clubhouse target of six under which was only bettered by compatriot Luke Brown. "On this golf course it is always nice to go bogey-free, especially on the first day and get off to a nice start," Schaper said. "It's pretty wet out there, it's hard to judge what the greens are going to do with your shots, how are they going to spin and how they are going to react, and the greens there's a lot of slow patches out there. From tee-to-green I was pretty good, I gave myself a lot of chances and I didn't leave myself out of position too many times and it's a big bonus to be playing on the fairways."

Kimsey keeps calm during mad rush

Nathan Kimsey had to endure a mad dash to the tee-box on Thursday as the first reserve made the most of an unlikely opportunity. The Englishman was not in the original field but, as first reserve, he was onsite at Houghton Golf Course in case of any withdrawals. When he got the late morning call that he had a tee-time, playing partners Daniel Young and Ryan van Velzen were already on the tenth fairway when Kimsey teed off, but he made up for the lost time with seven birdies and a bogey in a brilliant 64. He said: "In the circumstances, it was fantastic. I mean I couldn't have asked for any more. I got back out there and just took it as an extra opportunity that I got last minute and I had fun out there. I played nicely, holed a few nice putts and it worked out pretty well."

Jarvis hopes to join elite group

Casey Jarvis is aiming to join an illustrious group as he targets a third consecutive DP World Tour title in Johannesburg. If the 22-year-old, who won the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa before last week's Investec South African Open Championship success, achieves the feat, he will become only the third player since 1972 to do so, following in the footsteps of Sir Nick Faldo and the late, great Seve Ballesteros. Good luck, Casey!

Mud balls equals clean strikes

Due to the wet conditions, mud balls became an issue for a lot of the players who strayed offline with their tee-shots. However, Angel Ayora produced this dime at the fifth.

Jarvis is clearly in the form of his life and he would have sent the crowd into raptures had he holed out this approach at the second. What an effort!

Hawksby flies into contention

Jack Hawksby is making only his fifth DP World Tour start in South Africa and the Englishman had to go through qualifying just to make the event. It appeared to be paying dividends in a chaotic first round, which saw him card just one par in his opening 12 holes thanks to eight birdies, a double bogey and two dropped shots. The 28-year-old parred his way home and sits just three off the pace in a tie for 12th at four under.