Ernie Els marked his return to form with an eagle and two birdies in his last five holes to claim a share of the lead at the South African Open this morning.

The South African, who finished tied for eighth in the Dunhill Championship last week, began on the back nine and two birdies and a bogey saw him turn in 36.

However, his round came alive with a birdie at the par-four fifth and after picking up another shot with a two at the next he eagled the 574-yard seventh to reach five under.

That was a score matched by compatriot Trevor Immelman and Spain's Carl Suneson. Immelman, the PGA Tour's rookie of the year, also covered the back nine in 36 before improving after the turn.

Birdies at the second and fourth lifted him to three under before an eagle two at the 353-yard short par-four last earned him a place at the top of the leaderboard.

Suneson bogeyed the second and third but clawed back those shots at the fourth and seventh to turn in a
level-par 35.  He turned up the heat with a run of five birdies in six holes from the turn to reach five under.

Els' close friend Des Terblanche, finished four under alongside England's Gareth Davies and Sweden's Patrick Sjoland.

Defending champion Retief Goosen is one under after just four holes.