South African Ernie Els and Australia's Rod Pampling shot rounds of 66 to share the lead after today’s first round of the Australian Open golf championship.
The pair carded rounds of five-under-par at The Grand course on Queensland's Gold Coast to hold a one-shot lead over former rookie of the year Brad Andrews.
Michael Wright fired a 68 to finish the day tied for third with Brett Ogle and Peter Lonard.
The Australian Open once held ambitions of being the world's fifth major but this year's event failed to attract most of the sport's biggest names with Els the only player ranked in the world's top 10.
The South African made a brilliant start to his round when he holed his second shot from 85 metres to eagle the opening hole.
He birdied the second hole before a bogey at the third stopped his progress, but birdies at the fifth and seven saw him go out at three under.
He picked up another four shots on the back nine but two more bogeys saw him settle for 66.
Pampling also started well with birdies at three of the first four holes to finish level with Els.