Sihwan Kim was leading the birdie blitz on Royal Johannesburg & Kensington’s West Course as the Joburg Open began in South Africa.
The American, who narrowly failed to retain his European Tour card last season after coming through the Challenge Tour in 2013, made seven birdies in his first 12 holes to top the early leaderboard.
The action is spread over the West Course and more demanding East Course over the first two rounds, with each of the 210-man field playing both, before those that make the cut descend on the East layout for the weekend.
South African Titch Moore aced the West Coast’s par three fifth to lie second on six under, with his compatriot Dean Burmester and promising Belgian Thomas Pieters both five under.
Defending champion George Coetzee was among those on four under, the same mark as South African Jacques Blaauw – whose outward four under 33 was the best effort so far on the East Course.
Newly appointed Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke was among the later starters on the East Course, which he described as one of his favourites pre-tournament.
