Retief Goosen and Chris DiMarco share the lead on four-under after the first day's play of the Sun City Challenge in South Africa.
The joint leaders carded 68's to lead the select 12-man field who are all playing for the richest prize - two million dollars - in golf.
Goosen didn't drop a shot all day, instead the South African picked up shots at the second, ninth, 10th and 13th. DiMarco's debut in the event was almost flawless except for the American dropping a shot at the sixth amongst five birdies.
Jim Furyk, one of three Americans in the invitational event, carded a 69 while defending champion Sergio Garcia of Spain, Australia's Robert Allenby and British Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa all shot 70 to command a share of third.
"I was a bit lucky out there today because I didn't really play that well," said Goosen. "Sometimes in this game you play poorly and get good breaks. That was me on some holes today where I missed the green, but I always seemed to be in a favourable position for a fairly easy chip and putt," said the world number five.
Els, this week's favourite, was a little disappointed with his 70: "There were birdies to be made out there and while I played quite a tidy front nine in two under, I made two or three silly mistakes on the back nine."
The disaster of the day belonged to Scotland's Colin Montgomerie who was the first player to tee off but pushed his opening drive deep into the trees. He took two shots under the branches before just managing to find the green with his fourth shot before three-putting.
He was later penalised a shot by officials because his ball moved while he was playing his second shot. That means a quadruple-bogey eight to start his week off with. He finished the day on 74.
AFP