Former Masters Tournament Champion Charl Schwartzel made a good start to the ISPS HANDA Perth International when the first round began in Australia.
The South African birdied three of his first five holes to take a share of the early lead alongside Australian Steven Jones.
Starting at the tenth, Schwartzel carded gains at the 11th, 13th and 14th to race to three under par and join Jones in a one shot lead.
Earlier France’s Edouard Dubois had matched Schwartzel’s start before slipping back into a share of third.
The 23 year old has had something of a testing rookie year on The European Tour; making just two cuts in his first ten starts and recording a best finish of 18th to lie 173rd on The Race to Dubai.
However, the Challenge Tour graduate started with real purpose at Lake Karrinyup before a bogey at the 16th checked his progress somewhat.
He was still in a nine-way tie for third, with American Ryder Cup star Jason Dufner, Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, Swede Thomas Petersson, South African James Kingston, Italian Lorenzo Gagli and England’s Steve Webster amongst those alongside him.
Another American, Bo Van Pelt, and England’s Paul Casey were amongst the later starters.
