South African Anthony Michael was the clubhouse leader midway through the first day of the Alfred Dunhill Championship after a round of six under par 66 put him one stroke clear at Malelane.
The 25 year old recorded seven birdies and one bogey to sit ahead of Englishman Robert Rock, who was five under after 16 holes.
Spaniard Alvaro Velasco, who also completed his first round at the Leopard Creek Country Club, was a further stoke back on four under thanks to his 68 - an effort that was boosted by an eagle on his ninth hole, which was the par five 18th with the Challenge Tour graduate from Barcelona teeing off on the tenth.
Two players were on three under - Chris Swanepoel of South Africa and Germany's Sebastian Buhl - through 16 and 12 holes respectively, while a further seven were a further stroke back with only Argentinian Julio Zapata (70) amongst them having already completed his day.
Another Englishman, Lee Slattery, was the first player on course this morning, teeing off The 2011 Race to Dubai.
The 32 year old started at 0620 local time and ended his round in a solid 71.
Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen is among a trio of big-name locals to have afternoon tee-offs at the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event.
Along with the World Number 24, the highest-ranked player in the field Charl Schwartzel and 2008 winner Richard Sterne will begin their quest for the €158,500 top prize.
Four other previous champions - Spaniard Pablo Martin (2009), English duo John Bickerton (2007) and Anthony Wall (2000) and Germany's Marcel Siem (2004) - are also in the field.
