Andy Sullivan continued his love affair with South Africa as he posted a spotless 64 to lead by one shot after the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.
Starting from the tenth tee on Thursday morning, Englishman Sullivan made four birdies on his front nine before adding four more on the way home, producing some nice par saves along the way to keep his card clean.
That saw him set the early clubhouse target at eight under par and none of the later starters were able to catch him in the blistering afternoon heat.
Behind Sullivan in a three-way tie for second were countryman Alex Fitzpatrick, home favourite Casey Jarvis and Swede Marcus Kinhult - who shot the best score of the afternoon - on seven under.
South Africa is a home from home for Sullivan, having secured his first two DP World Tour victories in the country in 2015.
And he has played well there recently too, finishing in a tie for 14th in tricky conditions at last week's Nedbank Golf Challenge.
At Leopard Creek Country Club on Thursday, Sullivan followed up a birdie at the 11th with back-to-back gains on the 13th and 14th before closing his front nine with another at the 18th.
He then reeled off four birdies in five holes from the second before closing with three solid pars to finish the day on eight under.
Sullivan said: "Obviously coming back to South Africa is a feel-good factor, winning my first event down here.
"I always get a good following and support, always feel comfortable and am always enjoying myself so generally play decent golf."
Sullivan was pleased to make a fast start to the week, saying it is key to do so at this venue.
He added: "It's important to get off to a good start because you know at the weekend it's going to get tougher and tougher.
"This place generally doesn't get easier so getting off to a good start's nice, gives you that little bit of a buffer, but you know you're in for a serious grind over the next couple of days.
"I've been putting well. I putted well all of last year and the putting was really good today - saved me a couple of times and I holed some good birdie putts.
"But I felt like the greens suit me so I've just got to keep the long game going."
