Wales's Paul Affleck moved into a one-shot lead with a blemish-free five-under-par 66 in the first round of the Sao Paulo Open yesterday. Affleck, who has prospered since taking advice from a sports psychologist, was one stroke ahead of fellow Welshman David Park, Spain's Thomas Munoz, Swedes Per Nyman and Richard S Johnson and two Brazilians, Ruberiel Felizardo and Jose Aderbal.
Padraig Harrington, beaten in a playoff in last week's tournament in Brazil, opened with a steady, two-under-par 69, while Philip Walton went round in level par.
Affleck fashioned his round on a succession of big putts, holing from 20 feet to save par at his second hole and then picking up five birdies, all from 15 to 20 feet.
Last season Affleck did not make a cut after early August, but he has enjoyed a change of fortune since consulting sports psychologist Alan Fine.
Fine, now based in Utah, told Affleck he should stop being so hard on himself and look for a positive side in everything.
It helped him to make his first cut in six months earlier this year at the South African Open, the second event of the European Tour season, though he ended up disqualified after forgetting to sign his card on the last day.
"There was a lot of confusion in the recording area but it was my fault I forgot to sign the card," said Affleck (33).
"But I took something even from a disqualification. Alan and I had been working at being upbeat and I just thought back on how well I'd chipped and putted that week and made my first cut since the Scandinavian Masters last August.
"I was able to play really well a few weeks later and finished ninth in the Dubai Desert Classic in a very strong field."
Affleck is in his eighth season on tour and does not want to wait as long for his first title as compatriot Roger Chapman, who achieved the feat in the Rio Open last Sunday in his 19th year on the European Tour.
"I wouldn't say I actually got inspiration from Roger, but I do admire the way he came back," Affleck said.
"I want to win, I've been promising my wife I will for seven years but I'd rather not wait 18 years."
Munoz (28), is on a full medical exemption for the season after suffering a hand injury and undergoing surgery last year.
He outdid Affleck for birdies, capturing six, but dropped two shots straight after the turn.
Nyman looked as though he would share the lead but bogeyed in gathering gloom in the last match.
Frenchman Fabrice Tarnaud achieved the tour's first albatross of the season when he holed out with a fivewood from 234 yards at the long 17th on his way to a 71.
