Welshmen Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge fired seven-under-par 65s to lead the Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg after the first round today.
They hold a one stroke advantage over three players, including 20-year-old South African rookie Louis Oosthuizen, who shot an amazing 57 at his local club two months ago, Zimbabwe's Sean Farrell and South African Callie Swart.
Englishman Paul Casey, the 2001 European Tour rookie of the year, was in a group of six players two shots back on 67.
Of the three Irish golfers in the field, Kilkenny's Gary Murphy is best placed, a one under total of 71 keeping him in touch. Peter Lawrie is a shot further back while James Loughnane has a tough task on his hands to make the cut having recorded a first round 76.
Dodd, 36, returned a bogey-free round to assume the same position he held on the leaderboard after the first round 12 months ago before finishing in a tie for 30th place.
Dredge overcame a bogey at the first before finding his rhythm with birdies on the next three holes.
He added a further five birdies to maintain the pressure on his compatriot in search of his maiden European Tour win.
"I could have had a 65 on the first day last week, but I'll take it this week," the 29-year-old Dredge said. "Last week I struggled a bit for the first two days but over the weekend my ball striking got better but my short game left me. Today it was pretty good all round."
Dodd, who was joint leader along with Paul McGinley after the first round of last year's tournament, said: "The key today was that I was driving it in the fairway and holing a few putts.
"I suppose giving yourself chances is the key on most courses and I did that really well today."
Defending champion Justin Rose of England had a mixed round of one-over 73, while South African Open winner Trevor Immelman shot a three-under 69, including a double bogey on the ninth.
Lee Westwood showed glimpses of the form that took him to the top of Europe's order of merit in 2000 with a one-under par 71. He missed the cut at the South African Open, but gave himself a chance of playing over the weekend despite four bogies on his card.