Last year’s runner-up Grégory Bourdy was among the early leaders as the Africa Open began at East London Golf Club.
The Frenchman finished two shots behind Darren Fichardt 12 months ago, and found himself in contention again after six birdies and a single bogey over his first 13 holes, an approach to tap-in distance at the fourth among the highlights.
At five under par the four-time European Tour winner was alongside England’s David Horsey, Scotland’s David Drysdale and Chilean Mark Tullo.
All the leading four players had started their rounds on the ninth with the exception of Tullo – who made a remarkable opening front nine with a birdie at the fifth coming between eagles at the third and sixth.
Horsey splashed out a bunker to a couple of feet at the third and birdied, where Drysdale hit his second shot to a similar distance for eagle.
The playing partners then pulled clear at the top when both got up-and-down from the edge of the green at the driveable par four sixth.
At six under they led by one form Bourdy, Tullo and South African quartet Thomas Aiken, Heinrich Bruiners, Jbe Kruger and Garth Mulroy.
