Erlandsson sets early pace

Erlandsson: one-shot lead

First-round leaderboard:
(SA unless stated)
M Erlandsson (Swe) -8
P Martin (Spa) -7
D Van Der Walt -7
A Hansen (Den) -6

Also see

• EuroTour Schedule
• World Rankings
• Golf live on Sky Sports

Martin Erlandsson ended the opening round of the South African Open with a one-shot lead after a spectacular 64 at Pearl Valley.

The Swede finished the day on eight-under, just ahead of last week's Alfred Dunhill winner Pablo Martin and home player Dawie Van Der Walt.

Erlandsson's lead was due in no small part to a fantastic three-wood to no more than three feet at the 530-yard par-five fifth - his 14th hole - which set up an eagle.

The Swede added six birdies as well during a bogey-free round that puts him in contention to claim what would be a maiden European Tour victory.

Asked about the stunning shot that set up his eagle, the 35-year-old from Malmo commented: "It was one of those strokes where you just say 'Wow, what happened?'"

Only a week ago Erlandsson began the new Tour season by playing his first nine holes at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in a nightmare 46, but this time he came home in a superb 30.

Martin was another to produce a fine finish as he birdied the 13th, 16th and 17th and then eagled the 601-yard 18th to charge up to second.

Van Der Walt managed two eagles - at the fifth and tenth - as well as three birdies to put himself amongst the early pacesetters.

Denmark's Anders Hansen, third at the weekend and clear leader of the South African Sunshine Tour money-list with only this week to go, had an eagle and seven birdies, but also three bogeys for a 66 and fourth place.

The Dane now looks certain to become the first player from the Northern hemisphere to win the South African Order of Merit with the only man really capable of stopping him, Charl Schwartzel, firing a nightmare five-over-par opening round of 77.

It also looks set to end the South African's hopes of forcing his way into the world's top 50 in time to earn a place in the Masters at Augusta in April.

Italian Edoardo Molinari and England's Ross McGowan are in the same boat as Schwartzel and also need big performances this week.

World Cup winner Molinari, who needs a top-eight finish, made a positive start and ended the day on four-under, but the McGowan, like Schwartzel, has to be first or second and like his rival also crashed to a 77.

McGowan, returning to action a month after being runner-up to Lee Westwood at the Dubai World Championship, was actually three under after six, but then had two triple-bogeys and a double-bogey.