Warren Abery raced to seven-under and took his share of the first-round lead of the Dimension Data Pro-Am, which got underway at Fancourt's Outeniqua, Montagu and The Links courses yesterday.
While all players will tackle a round at each course, followed by the cut and a final round at Montagu, Abery and Oliver Bekker led the first day with 65s shot at Outeniqua and Montagu, respectively.
Neil Schietekat is next best at 6-under and defending champion Hennie Otto is part of the group at 5-under.
Home favourite Branden Grace opened with a 3-under 69.
George local Jake Redman shot 2-under as did PE's Lyle Rowe.
Titch Moor shot even par 72
Meanwhile:
Britain's Paul Casey, a two-time runner-up at the World Golf Championships Match-Play Championship, will not play in the event next week, allowing South African George Coetzee into the field of 64.
Casey yesterday became the second qualified player to confirm he would not play in the tournament where entries are based on world rankings. Phil Mickelson will skip the event after winning last week at Pebble Beach.
Mickelson's sitting out allowed another South African, 65th-ranked Ernie Els, to make a start next week.
