Investec South African Open Championship - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from the first day at Durban Country Club.

Praise was lavished on greenkeeping staff and we were treated to some exceptional golf on day one of the weather-affected Investec South African Open Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from the first day at Durban Country Club.

Greenkeepers hailed after mammoth effort

With heavy rainfall on Tuesday night leading to areas of Durban Country Club being waterlogged, it took a mighty effort to get the course playable for Thursday's opening round, which was delayed by three hours. “On behalf of the Sunshine Tour and DP World Tour and all our professionals, we are extremely grateful to all the parties for their outstanding effort to enable us to start the first round today,” said Thomas Abt, Commissioner of the Sunshine Tour. "They worked through the night and against the odds, and what they achieved is nothing short of remarkable. We are truly grateful for such an inspiring team effort. Thank you.” Well done to everyone involved.

What a difference a day makes

The 16th looked a little bit different on Thursday to how it did a day earlier...

Bairstow shares lead after monster birdie putt

England's Sam Bairstow shone on Thursday, firing eight birdies and one bogey in his 65 to sit alongside Fredrik From and afternoon starter Darren Fichardt at the summit when play was suspended in the evening. Fichardt, who made seven birdies in his first 14 holes, will return to complete his opening round on Friday morning. The highlight of Bairstow's round came at the fifth, where he holed this huge putt for a bonus birdie...

Clements' brilliant birdie burst

Todd Clements enjoyed a front nine to remember, following up birdies at the first and third with four in a row from the sixth to turn in 30. Two more birdies and two bogeys on the homeward nine saw him sit one shot off the lead at the end of the day.

Fantastic From lands two eagles

Sweden's From, who has plenty of experience of playing in South Africa on the Sunshine Tour, carded not one but two eagles in his 65 to secure himself a share of the clubhouse lead. Fichardt, meanwhile, birdied the second, third, fifth, sixth, tenth, 13th and 14th to join the early co-leaders at the top just before the later starters ran out of daylight.