Brett Rumford was the lone Australian to make the cut in a rusty start to the European Tour’s 2018 season at the BMW South African Open.

The West Australian was one of three Australasians to make the journey to Glendower Golf Club but the only one to qualify for the weekend.

Jason Scrivener and New Zealand’s Josh Geary were also in the field but both struggled in the opening rounds to miss the cut by four shots.

Rumford, who made a promising start at this event last year, before being forced to withdraw with a stomach bug after 36 holes, played steady golf Thursday and Friday for a pair of 1-under 71s to be two inside the cut line.

However, he struggled at the weekend with rounds of 75-78 and fell down the standings to eventually finish 74^th.

It was also tough going for Geary and Scrivener, the latter somewhat surprising after two good performances at the course in previous years.

Scrivener placed T11 and T12 at his previous appearances in the tournament but there was little of that form on display as he battled to rounds of 74-76.

While he will be disappointed with that effort, the 28-year-old will rightly be optimistic about the year ahead after claiming his first Professional win at the NSW Open last November.

Josh Geary will also be less than pleased with his start to the year after earning his card at Q-School in late 2017.

With playing opportunities limited for those graduating from the annual school, the 33-year-old knows he needs to post good results early if he is to maintain his card for next year.