West’s good score due to constant qualifyng

Sunshine Tour rookie Rhys West admits that having to qualify for most tournaments in the past is the reason he shot a five-under-par 67 on Wednesday at Arabella Golf Club in the R600 000 Vodacom Origins of Golf.

“Having to qualify teaches you to go low,” said West.

“In my amateur career, and when I started as a pro, I tried to protect myself against par, and in qualifiers you’ve got to go under par or you’re not going to be playing – so I’d say it’s taught me to go low.”

West’s 67 was good enough to see him finish in a four-way share of the lead with Trevor Fisher Jnr, Jacques Blaauw and PH McIntyre.

Reflecting on his round the young rookie said the good condition of the course made it a little easier for him.

“The course is playing soft, so the ball just stays where it lands” added West.

“That makes the fairways and the landing areas a lot easier to hit.

“And I think driving’s very important around here, so if you can just get it in the fairway, it’s a lot easier to score.”