Peterson takes early lead in rain-drenched Joburg Open

24 February 2017 - 09:49 By Michael Vlismas
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Paul Peterson during day 1 of the 2017 Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on February 23, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Paul Peterson during day 1 of the 2017 Joburg Open at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club on February 23, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Petri Oeschger/Sunshine Tour/Gallo Images

American Paul Peterson is quite used to approaching the game from a different angle, so it is hardly surprising that he was least affected by the rain that eventually forced a suspension of the first round of the Joburg Open.

In a brief morning respite from the weather, Peterson made it into the clubhouse with a bogey-free nine-under-par 62 on the west course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club before play was suspended as more rain fell in the afternoon.

The round was due to resume at 6.45am today, with Peterson two clear of England's Aaron Rai and Paul Waring, who both played on the east course.

Peterson is naturally right-handed but plays golf left-handed, something he developed while playing with his twin brother as kids.

"We used to play on a golf course in Oregon, where my grandparents lived, and it just happened that I played left-handed and stayed that way. My parents tried to change it, but it just stuck. My brother doesn't play any more. He's not really that sporty," said Peterson, who is hunting his second European Tour title after beating European Ryder Cup player Thomas Pieters to win last year's Czech Masters.

Jbe Kruger is the leading South African on six under and preferred the tough conditions.

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