Connor '˜upbeat' after steady first round

The tournament, being played across two courses in South Africa, saw Connor play steady golf in difficult, wet conditions.

The amateur was handed a start at the European Tour event by organisers thanks to his championship win in Australia last year and Scottish Golf’s links with the South African Golf Association.

The field boasts some of the tour’s star names, with Scot Marc Warren, Welshman Jamie Donaldson and former Open Championship winner Darren Clarke amongst the entries.

Connor ended his round level par against the West Course par of 71, shooting four birdies, two bogies and a double bogey, playing his first round with Swede Niclas Johansson and South African Thanda Mavundla.

Dad and coach Stuart said sights are now firmly set on tomorrow’s round.

He said: “Connor says he was driving well off the tee but the courses are very wet so he got couple of bad breaks with mud balls and didn’t quite take all his chances on the greens.

“However, I think for his first round in three months after winter in Scotland and making his debut on the European Tour, level par was a good effort.

“He’s upbeat as usual and looking forward to holing more putts tomorrow.”