R1 LEADERBOARD GB & Ire unless stated -8 E Els (SA) -7 S Dodd, J M Jimenez (Spa), C Hanell (Swe) -6 V Singh (Fij), S Drummond -5 A Cabrera (Arg), N Colsaerts (Bel), A Coltart, I Garrido (Spa), D Gilford, R Green (Aus), A Hansen (Den), J Rose

The South African, who has yet to win the event, leads by a shot from Wales' Stephen Dodd, Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and Swede Christopher Hanell.

Vijay Singh, who had his best finish of seventh in the event in 2001, was a further shot back with Scott Drummond.

Defending champion Ignacio Garrido of Spain and England's Justin Rose were in a group on 67.

While Ryder Cup hopeful Paul Casey was in the share for second place until he bogeyed the par-five last for a 68.

Els has not won this event in eight previous attempts. He has claimed the World Match Play Championship five times on this course, which is also where one of his homes is located.

I'm delighted at the way I finished Vijay Singh

But the world number three has the added incentive of being able to overtake Singh in the rankings if he wins and the Fijian finishes outside the top five.

Els said changes to his swing had proved beneficial.

"I made a little bit of an adjustment before the final round in Germany last week," he said.

"I got my chest moving a little bit to give me more of a pendulum action and then worked on it for three days before playing here.

"The three-putt (on the fourth) was my only real mistake because it was almost a giveaway birdie."

Singh was aware of Els' round as he had a later tee-off time but said he had not been affected.

"I just wanted to play a solid round, maybe three or four under," said the Fijian. "So I'm delighted at the way I finished with birdies at the last two holes.�

Casey, said he was distracted on "quite a few" occasions and almost had his ball run over by a buggy by a television camerman.

"I had a good talking to the guy on the 17th, which always helped. I didn't swear. I was very good," said Casey.

"On the same hole you could see the tyre marks and he missed by ball by a couple of inches."

Elsewhere, Adam Scott put himself in contention, finishing the day with a three-under-par 69.

Colin Montgomerie and four-time winner Nick Faldo both scored 70.

And the 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie ended on level par while Scotland's Sandy Lyle finished on one-under-par 71.