A chastening round of golf this morning in South Africa has put Gary Hurley on the back foot and likely fighting for a place above the cut mark.
The West Waterford man teed it up at the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek where he began in the best possible manner.
Starting on the back nine, Hurley shot four birdies in his opening five holes to set the tone early on. He was holding a score of -4 by the 15th tee, but that is when the problems began.
His run from 14 to 17 will not be remembered fondly. Four dropped shots saw him hand back all the good work he had managed prior. Approaching the turn on level par he managed to stem the tide on the 18th putting for a par-five.
Making his way back to the 1st tee the reset had not taken affect. More dropped shots were to follow with the wheels truly after coming off the cart. Bogeys on the 1st, 3rd and 4th make for unpleasant reading but he did manage to pick up one shot on the 2nd.
With four holes to go, the former Walker Cup star was 2 over, sharing 91st.
The ship was finally steadied as Hurley came down the home straight. Par making shots on 6, 7 & 8 held him on +2, with his final shot of the day improving his score with a birdie 3 on the ninth.
A large portion of the field are yet to begin their rounds, but the West Waterford man is in the clubhouse in a share of 94th.
