Lee Westwood made a disappointing start to his 2003 campaign with an opening three-over-par 75 at the South African Airways Open.

Among the early starters from the 10th tee, Westwood was three under for his first seven holes but bogeyed the tough 17th and 18th to be out in 35.

R1 LEADERBOARD

-6 Jean Hugo -5 Tim Clark -5 James Kingston -4 Iain Pyman -4 Andrew Coltart -4 Peter Lawrie -4 Rolf Muntz -4 David Drysdale

Collated scores

Worse was to come, with a bogey on the fifth followed by a double bogey six on the next.

He also dropped a shot on the straightforward par three eighth to come home in 40.

That left him nine shots off the early lead held by South African Jean Hugo, who carded a flawless six-under 66 to establish a new course record.

Defending champion Tim Clark, who had to qualify for the event last year, was one behind after an error-free 67.

The pair were one ahead of an expanding group on four under.

Defending champion Clark made a good start

Yorkshire's Iain Pyman was the first to post a 68 after an early start time.

He would have led on his own but for a double bogey seven on the seventh, his 15th hole, when he found a ditch with his second shot and three-putted.

"That was a shame but I can't really complain for the first round of the year," said Pyman.

The 29-year-old missed the first two official counting events for this season's money list in November and December owing to his wedding and honeymoon.

Pyman was joined on four under by Ireland's Peter Lawrie, Scottish duo Andrew Coltart and David Drysdale and Holland's Rolf Muntz.

Justin Rose drew a large crowd as he began his round, the Johannesburg-born 22-year-old picking up a birdie on the third to move to one under.