Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke lies one shot behind the leaders in the $1.2m Nedbank Challenge in Sun City after a first-round 66. Fiji's Vijay Singh and American Kenny Perry, who like Clarke birdied the 18th, are tied for the lead on seven under par.
Clarke is in a four-way tie at six-under with American Chris DiMarco and Australians Robert Allenby and Adam Scott.
Defending champion Ernie Els of South Africa could only manage a level par 72, clearly out of sorts and struggling with his game throughout the day.
It was the first time in 29 rounds at the event that he has failed to break par over the Gary Player Country Club Course.
Heavy overnight rain softened up the course considerably, holding drives on the fairways and making the greens receptive for low scoring.
Clarke picked up seven birdies, but took a bogey at the par four eighth.
Perry's only blemish was a bogey on the 15th, while Singh had seven birdies and did not drop a shot.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington recovered from a poor start when he carded four bogeys just after the turn before three birdies brought him back to finish with a level par 72.
MMIX
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