Thomas Aiken started the 2012 Race to Dubai in the same sensational form he displayed in 2011 as the South African raced into an early lead at the Africa Open.
The 28 year old, who won his maiden European Tour title at last year’s Open de España en route to recording nine top-ten finishes, was nine under par at East London Golf Club with three to play.
That run included eagles at two of the par fives – the 11th and third – as well as five birdies, as he moved one clear of Retief Goosen – who earlier hit the first shot of The 2012 Race to Dubai.
The two-time US Open Champion also made a fantastic start to the new campaign, birdieing five in a row after starting with a bogey and adding four further gains as his round developed.
England’s former Ryder Cup star David Howell was three behind Aiken on six under with five to play, with former Ryder Cup stars Phillip Price and Oliver Wilson amongst the afternoon starters.
