Samuel Simpson took an early tee-off time and used it to his advantage as he signed for an eight-under-par 64 to lead the Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship at St Francis Links on Thursday.
“I’m really happy with today’s round. I think any time you step on St Francis Links, no matter what the weather is, you’ll take that score. Teeing off early this morning was a big advantage, and according to early weather forecasts it was definitely a benefit,” he said after a round of seven birdies and an eagle, with just a solitary bogey.
He is two strokes clear of the resurgent Hennie du Plessis following his 66.
Samuel Simpson navigated the @StFrancisLinks layout expertly in round one, shooting a 64 for a two-shot lead.#FitchLeedesPGAChamps #GreatnessBeginsHere #SunshineTour pic.twitter.com/Pd3pENAXaG
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) November 27, 2025
“My gameplan and main priority around this course was to make my pars, and hit the fairways and greens. I’ve had to reign myself back and learn how to do that. It’s funny how I can sometimes gather momentum from that and make one or two putts, like today. The bogey on the par-three seventh hole was a bit frustrating though, as I’ve hit a good shot straight through the wind. That is however part of playing at the coast and in these types of conditions,” Simpson said.
Looking ahead to the rest of this tournament, Simpson spoke passionately about wanting to focus on being more realistic on the ups-and-downs of golf.
“I think going into the next three days, the gameplan is to have the acceptance that bad stuff can happen, even after executing a shot well. According to the weather report the next three days will be very hard, so I need to just keep hitting the fairways and greens in regulation and have a good attitude about good and bad golf shots. I’ve been working hard this year to give myself a bit of grace,” Simpson added.
This kind of start on the back of his maiden Sunshine Tour win at the Mopani Zambia Open in June has Simpson excited about the future
“Having the win earlier this year has been a real blessing to qualify for the next couple of events. Playing off that momentum, knowing that I am capable of doing it out here, is a big boost and I really want to do that again. Whether that is this week or a few years down the line, I am pushing for that,” he said.
The Fitch & Leedes PGA Championship is proudly supported by Stinger GC, Momentum, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), Kouga Municipality, Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Cape St Francis, Telkom and the PGA of South Africa.
A look how things stand after the first round📊#FitchLeedesPGAChamps #GreatnessBeginsHere #SunshineTour pic.twitter.com/DtxXuUCSh2
— Sunshine Tour (@Sunshine_Tour) November 27, 2025
SCORES
64 - Samuel Simpson
66 - Hennie du Plessis
67 - Bryce Easton, Hayden Griffiths, Joe Long, Ruan Groenewald
68 - Quintin Wilsnach, Rupert Kaminski
69 - Luke Jerling, George Coetzee, David Amm, Thabiso Ngcobo 70 - Ronald Rugumayo, Robson Chinhoi, Pieter Moolman, Deon Germishuys, Malcolm Mitchell, Franklin Manchest, Rowan Lester, Calvin Caldeira
71 - Matthew Spacey, Zander Lombard, CJ du Plessis, Toto Thimba Jnr, Jake Redman, Jason Roets, Ruan Conradie, Jaco Prinsloo, Nikhil Rama, JJ Senekal, Keenan Davidse, Graham van der Merwe, Jean Hugo, Stals Swart
72 - George Van Vuuren, Tomas Gana, Albert Venter, Tyran Snyders, Pierre Viallaneix, Wilco Nienaber, Dean Burmester, Jacques Kok, Karabo Mokoena, Jacques Blaauw, Heinrich Bruiners, Jean-Paul Strydom, James Mack, Rhys West, Dylan Mostert, Stuart Krog, Ryan van der Klis, Jordan Burnand
73 - Thomas Spreadborough, Mikkel Antonsen, Warwick Purchase, Wynand Dingle, Zachary Chegwidden, Nyasha Muyambo, Allen John, Martin Vorster, Ruan Korb, Rhys Enoch, Stephen Ferreira, MJ Viljoen, Otto Van Buynder, Hennie O'Kennedy, James Pennington, Celestin Nsanzuwera
74 - Ethan Smith, Tristen Strydom, Brandon Stone, Liam Grehan, Luis Carrera, Eric Wowor, Benjamin Van Wyk, Jaco Ahlers, Barend Botha, Christiaan Burke, Neil Schietekat, Kyle De Beer, Kyle McClatchie, Louis Albertse, Peter Karmis
75 - Brandon Meads, Louis de Jager, Keanu Pestana, Jastice Mashego, Altin van der Merwe, Anthony Michael, Herman Loubser, Casey Jarvis, Conner Mackenzie, Hennie Otto
76 - Werner Deyzel, Andre Van Zyl, Tafadzwa Nyamukondiwa, Xander Basson, Luca Filippi, Lyle Rowe, Musiwalo Nethunzwi, Cornel Muller, Marcel Steyn Scholtz, Jack Hawksby, Keagan Thomas, Tyrone Ryan
77 - Joe Knox, Gerhard Pepler, Danie Van Niekerk, Gregg Upton, Nick Cunningham, Kyle Barker, Rourke van der Spuy, Christian Kriek
78 - Simon du Plooy, Jacques P de Villiers, Dean Nysschen, Hunter Epson, Allister de Kock
79 - Slade Pickering, Gregory Mckay, Tumelo Molloyi, Daniel Gouws, Estiaan Conradie, Ruan de Smidt, Marcus Sandile Taylor
80 - Tyron Davidowitz, Jake Roos, Makhetha Mazibuko
81 - Leon Vorster, Andrew van der Knaap, Merrick Bremner, Ryan Welsh, Christiaan Basson, Keegan Mclachlan
83 - Kayle Wykes, Joe Nawanga
84 - Ruan Kotzé, Ricky Hendler
85 - Edwin Compton
87 - Andre Loots, SP Mthethwa, James Kamte