R1 LEADERBOARD -5 R Fisher (Eng), T Clark (SA) -4 H Nystrom (Swe) -3 M Eliasson (Swe), C Schwarztel (SA) Selected others: -1 D Lynn (Eng), O Whiteley (Eng) Level R Goosen (SA), D Griffiths (Eng) +1 A Butterfield (Eng), J Rose (Eng) +3 E Els (SA)

The big-hitting Fisher and Clark both carded five-under-par 68s on the tough Fancourt Links course.

World number five Ernie Els, who carded a three-over-par 76, described it as the toughest course he has ever played.

But Fisher, starting his round at the 10th hole, played the back nine in just 32 strokes with five birdies.

On his inward loop Fisher, in only in his second year as a professional, dropped shots at holes one and eight but birdied the fifth and ninth, his final hole.

Clark was also delighted by a round that featured four birdies and an eagle.

"This is one tough golf course and before the start of the round I said to myself that anything under par would be pretty satisfying," he said. "So to dip five under was rather special."

Clark made the most of an early morning start which was relatively wind-free, but by midday a breeze had got up and with the sun beating down, the greens became so hard and fast they were close to unplayable.

It made Fisher's round, completed in the afternoon, that much more remarkable.

Sweden's Henrik Nystrom of Sweden lies third after a 69 that included seven birdies and four bogeys.

He described the conditions as "a bit like a US Open."

Compatriot Mattias Eliasson and 21-year-old South African Charl Schwarztel are a further shot back.

World number four Retief Goosen carded a level-par 73, one better than England's Justin Rose on 74.