Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Reitan leads Nedbank Golf Challenge after opening with a 63

SUN CITY, South Africa (AP) — Kristoffer Reitan made 10 birdies in a 9-under 63 to take a three-shot lead after the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge on the European tour on Thursday.

The Norwegian golfer earned a first PGA Tour card at the end of last season but is beginning the 2026 season on the European tour.

Reitan missed the season-opening event in Australia last week but hit the ground running in Sun City, making birdies in seven of his first 11 holes and two more at Nos. 14 and 15. He dropped a shot at the par-4 17th after driving into a fairway bunker but holed a shot from the fringe at No. 18 for his 10th birdie.

“It was a brilliant day — very, very happy the way I played,” the 59th-ranked Reitan said.

Jesper Svensson, Marcus Armitage and Adrien Saddier were tied for second place after rounds of 66.

Viktor Hovland is the highest-ranked player in the field, at No. 13. He shot 69.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.