Branden Grace produced a brilliant first round 62 at Leopard Creek Country Club to take control of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
The South African, who won all four of his European Tour titles in 2012, fired ten unanswered birdies at the stunning Kruger National Park venue to hold a three shot lead after the opening round.
The 26 year old has had top-25 finishes in his last six starts, but found another gear as he raced to ten under par.
“I hit the ball superbly from the start to the finish,” said Grace, who almost holed his approach the 11th.
“I can’t remember the last time I hit 18 greens in a row, which is pretty nice, especially around this place where there are some daunting approaches. It’s a good feeling going into the rest of the tournament.”
Grace’s compatriot Jake Roos, playing his first event as a full European Tour Member, sits second after a seven under 65, with last week’s winner Danny Willett and his fellow Englishman Matt Ford – another rookie for 2015 – tied for third on six under.
With the limited field at last week’s Nedbank Challenge, this is the first chance for those who came through Qualifying School and The Challenge Tour last term to make their mark on The 2015 Race to Dubai.
Roos took the 15th and last place available on The Race to Dubai via last season’s Challenge Tour, while Ford was set to accept a job as a postman over the winter before he successfully negotiated November’s Qualifying School.
The 34 year old Roos began the day by holing a five iron for an eagle two at the tenth, and birdied the last to claim the clubhouse lead on seven under par.
“I felt comfortable and swung quite nicely,” said Roos, who won in Kenya and Germany on last year’s Challenge Tour.
“I hit a lot of good shots and had a lot of short birdie putts on my front nine, and I was able to take advantage of a couple.
“When I holed that shot on my first hole it was an ice-breaker for me. It got me laughing and relaxed me, so it was a perfect start. It came out right on target and pitched a little short and went in."
Ford was a shot further back as he delivered a six under par 66 which contained eight birdies and two bogeys, with a 30 foot putt at the 16th among the highlights.
“I’m very happy and it was a dream start to the tournament and my season,” said Ford. “It’s the first time I’ve had my European Tour card, so I’m pleased with how today went.”
Charl Schwartzel, a three-time winner of this event and looking to become only the sixth European Tour player to win the same event three years running, carded a three under 69 which was matched by compatriot and fellow Major Champion Louis Oosthuizen.
