David Drysdale holed a 20 foot birdie putt at the last for a share of the clubhouse lead during the first round of the Joburg Open.
The Scot completed an inward 30 and round of 65 on Royal Johannesburg and Kensington’s West Course – where low scoring was the order of the day.
Drysdale was joined on six under in the clubhouse by compatriot George Murray, South African George Coetzee and Swede Joel Sjöholm.
Murray holed a ten footer at the par three 16th to go to six under, while Coetzee reached the same mark when he chipped in at the last.
Ireland’s Damien McGrane was the leader on the course, reaching nine under with three to play to be two ahead of South African Shaun Norris.
All of the top 14 players were in action on the West Course, with Chris Swanepoel’s four under 68 the best score on the East Course. The players play both courses over the first two rounds.
Charl Schwartzel, looking for a third straight win in the event, was among the later starters.
McGrane bogeyed the last for a 64, and at eight under he led by one from South Africa’s Desvonde Botes.
Botes eagled the last on the East Course for a 65 that left him a shot clear of seven players on six under.
England’s Jamie Elson, returning to The European Tour after holing a 40 foot putt on the final hole at Qualifying School, joined that group with six birdies in an outward 30 before play was suspended at 13.37 local time due to thunderstorms.
