South Africa's Anthony Michael took an early one shot clubhouse lead as The 2011 Race to Dubai began with the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
The 25 year old completed the Leopard Creek layout in a six under par 66 to put him one stroke clear of Robert Rock and Sebastian Buhl at Malelane.
England's Rock has had three runner-up finishes on The European Tour but is yet to taste victory, although he boosted his chances with a five under 67.
He carded five birdies and kept his card bogey-free courtesy of an impressive up-and-down at the 17th.
Buhl was a Challenge Tour regular last season and the 26 year old German took his chance to shine on the big stage with six birdies against a single dropped shot.
Last year's Challenge Tour Number One Alvaro Velasco was a shot further back as the 29 year old from Barcelona carded a 68.
Out on the course his compatriot Rafael Cabrera Bello - a former Austria Golf Open winner - also raced to four under through his first 11 holes.
Defending champion Pablo Martin reached the turn one under par, but Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen carded two double bogeys on the front nine to be four over.
