South African Warren Abery stormed into an early lead as the South African Open Championship presented by the City of Ekurhuleni began at Glendower GC.
An eight-time winner on the co-sanctioning Sunshine Tour, Abery raced to the turn in a five under par 31 to hold an early two shot lead.
Home players have won ten of the last 12 stagings of this event, and as well as the leader South Africans Chris Swanepoel, Jean Hugo and Christiaan Basson were well placed in a share of second, alongside English Qualifying School graduate James Morrison.
Former Masters Tournament winner Charl Schwartzel was part of a large group on two under par as the 2014 Race to Dubai kicked off.
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson, who won the opening event of the 2013 schedule in South Africa last year, was level par through 11 holes.
