Dunhill event: David Higgins is just one shot off a five-way tie for the lead after an opening round of 69 in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in Mpumalanga, South Africa, yesterday.

Little-known Wayne de Haas of South Africa missed a four-foot putt at the ninth - his last hole - in the fading light to join the logjam on 68, started by Italian Alessandro Tadini.

The Italian, who enjoyed the cooler morning conditions was joined by England's Oliver Wilson and Phillip Archer and South Africans Charl Schwartzel - the 2004 winner - and de Haas.

The leading quintet were one shot clear of seven players threatening at three under, including Higgins, former European Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart of Scotland, Australian Sam Nash, Sam Walker of England, Spain's Rafael Cabrera Bello and South Africans Steve van Vuuren and Alan Michell.

Higgins went to the turn in one-under-par 34 after birdies at the second and sixth and a dropped shot at the seventh and three birdies in four holes from the 12th saw him back in 35 for his 69.

Nine other players came in with two-under-par 70s, including Louis Oosthuizen, last year's joint runner-up to Ernie Els alongside Schwartzel.

England's Lee Westwood limped home in 71, having erased the damage of a triple bogey, double bogey and single bogey over the first nine holes with four birdies over the home stretch.

Defending champion Els struggled to an even-par 72 after halves of 37 and 35.