Clarke drives his way to early lead

GOLF: Darren Clarke blazed a trail to the top of the Dimension Data Pro-Am with an opening-day 63.

The Ulsterman used his new driver to devastating effect as he smashed drives of over 300 metres in a round which included eight birdies, an eagle and a bogey at the Lost City Golf Club, which is sharing the first two rounds with the Gary Player Country Club.

Playing in a field which also includes Justin Rose and Nick Price, Clarke started his round at the 10th hole and began with a bogey, but recovered to come home in 34.

After a birdie at the first, he then caught fire with an eagle at the fourth and ended up going out in 29. But as good as Clarke was yesterday, Uli Weinhandl was his equal.

The Austrian, who led the pre-qualifying at Centurion Country Club earlier this week, had eight birdies, as well as an eagle at the 11th, to share the lead with the Ulsterman.

England's Mark Foster, who won a six-way play-off last week at the Dunhill Championship in South Africa, is three shots behind Clarke on six under, while Trevor Immelman, also playing the Lost City course, opened with a five-under-par 67.

And while Clarke was blazing a trail at Lost City, Limerick's Tim Rice finished just three off the pace at the Gary Player Country Club after a first round 71. Pádraig Dooley opened with a 75 .

Bruce Vaughan of the US set the target there with a four under 68 to lead by one from Mark Murless (SA). James Loughnane shot a four over par 76 at Lost City.