Michael Vlismas

MALELANE, South Africa (6 December 2007) – Welsh rugby legend Dewi Bebb was never able to lift a trophy in South Africa. But his son Sion Bebb may well have that honour after taking the lead in Thursday’s first round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at the Leopard Creek Golf Course.

Bebb produced his best performance in this championship when he opened with a five under par 67 to lead by a single stroke over South Africa’s Omar Sandys and Scotland’s Craig Lee.

Bebb, whose father Dewi played 34 Tests for Wales and toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1962, took the lead on an overcast day when a swirling wind kept most of the field in check.

Ernie Els opened with a 70 to place him three strokes off the pace, while Darren Clarke struggled to a one over 73 and Charl Schwartzel a 75.

But Bebb, who for the first time in 20 years as a professional gained full playing privileges on the European Tour this year, was able to get the most out of the Leopard Creek course in the trying conditions.

“I’m very happy the round. It’s exactly where I want to be,” said Bebb, who produced a round of six birdies and only one bogey. He also came close to scoring a hole-in-one on the difficult par-three seventh hole, where his seven iron tee shot finished inches from the hole.

The view from the top of the leaderboard is certainly a pleasing one for Bebb, considering his record in this championship. On his previous two appearances, Bebb missed the cut on both occasions.

“This is certainly the toughest this course has played in my time, with this wind. And the fairways are narrower than in the past. I’ll take this score every day. It was very difficult out there. The wind was swirling everywhere. For the first few holes I was hitting very good shots but coming up a club short or too long. I thought it was going to be a tough day, but I hung in there and holed some putts.”

Sandys worked his way into contention relying heavily on his short game, saving par with up-and-downs on holes one, 16 and 17 for his 68. And Lee let slip a chance for a share of the lead with his bogey on 17.