Darren Fichardt topped the leaderboard on day one of the Tshwane Open after he carded a seven-under-par 65 at the Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate.
The South African, who is bidding to claim his second successive win on home soil after victory in the Africa Open two weeks ago, scored 31 on the back nine before firing birdies on the first, fourth and sixth holes to take a one-stroke lead over countryman Keith Horne and Sweden’s Bjorn Akesson.
“The swing is good and I’m putting well,” Fichardt said.
“This golf course is awesome. It’s very fair. The greens are very soft, so you’re able to attack the flags. I’m happy with seven under to start off with.”
England’s Gary Lockerbie was tied for fourth on five under with countryman David Howell, Chile’s Mark Tullo, Indian Jeev Milkha Singh and South African Jean Hugo.
Thirteen players were tied for eighth place a further shot back, ahead of Darren Clarke, the 2011 Open champion who was one of 14 men to finish the day on three under par.
Marc Warren was top Scot on two under, with Fife’s Peter Whiteford one under, Scott Henry level par, David Drysdale and Chris Doak one over, and Callum Macaulay five over.
Scottish youths champion Ewan Scott (St Andrews) was beaten by 3 and 2 in the semi-finals of the South African amateur match-play championship at Johannesburg Country Club.
Scott, fifth in the South African Stroke-play Championship and the seventh seed for the match-play event, lost by 3 and 2 to the eighth seed, South African Andrew Light.
In the morning quarter-finals, Scott had a great match against compatriot Fraser McKenna (Balmore) which went to the 20th green before Scott won.
The all-South African final will feature Light against the 24th seed, Thriston Lawrence.