THE Irish flag was flying, proudly at San Lameer Country Club on the Indian Ocean yesterday after John McHenry and David Higgins dominated the first round leaderboard in the South African Masters.

McHenry shared the league with American Mike Christie after carding a five under 67 while Higgins was just one shot off the pace with pretournament favourite Mark McNulty after a solid 68.

One shot back on 69 is a group of nine players, including two time South African Open champion Wayne Westner and compatriot Nic Henning. Henning made an albatross two at the par five 13th in an outward nine of 31.

The 31 year old McHenry, who regained his European Tour card last year after finishing 17th at the Qualifying School, posted a flawless 67 with loops of 34 and 33, collecting birdies at the 4th, 8th, 11th, 12th and at the par five 13th.

"I played solidly today and hit the fairway accurately. On this course, the driver isn't necessarily the most important club in the bag you've just got to hit the fairways."

Amazingly, McHenry is only playing his second competitive tournament of the year. "I'm just trying to get myself back into shape and, I'm also only playing my third tournament with the broomhandle putter which I recently switched to. I've tried every different method with the short putter and this was the next logical step."

Higgins completed nines of 34 and 34 and said afterwards that he had found conditions fine apart from the humidity. "It was very humid today and I had to drink about four bottles of water every hole," said the 23 year old.

"I hit every fairway and every green but I couldn't hole anything. I missed four birdie putts from only four feet. My longest putt was from 10 feet."