Scott and Immelman in share of the lead

GOLF:Australia's world number six Adam Scott overcame problems on the greens to grab a share of the lead with South African Trevor Immelman after the first round of the Sun City Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club yesterday.

Scott fired a five-under-par 67 and said: "I'm very happy with the way I played, but I need to do a bit of work on my putting and get a good feel for the speed of the greens, they're a bit slower than usual."

Immelman looked as if he might break Ernie Els's course record of 63 set in 2002 when he moved to seven-under-par through 10 holes, including an eagle at the ninth, but bogeys at the 11th and 12th brought him back to the field.

European number one Justin Rose and fellow Briton Luke Donald were tied for third on four-under-par, with three-time champion Els and Australian Geoff Ogilvy, at three-under, the only others to break par on an overcast day at the resort.

Rory Sabbatini, playing for the first time in his homeland since 1999, shot the highest score with a 76. He parred the first nine holes but a double-bogey seven at the par-five 10th hole, where he had a two-shot penalty when the ball struck him as he chipped out of a bunker, derailed his round.

American Stewart Cink and Sweden's Henrik Stenson were midway in the 12-man field after level-par rounds of 72, while South Africans Retief Goosen and Charl Schwartzel were joined by Swede Niclas Fasth on 74.

Rose enjoyed a flying start with birdies at the first two holes before a run of seven straight pars took him to the turn in 34.

The 27-year-old, whose victory at the Volvo Masters at the start of the month secured his first Order of Merit crown, then birdied the 10th and 17th on the back nine to complete a flawless round.

Donald, seeking his first victory of 2007, fired one bogey and one birdie on the front nine before sparking into life on the back nine.

The Ryder Cup star birdied the 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th to come home in 32 and finish just one behind Immelman who replaced Sergio Garcia in the 12-man field after the Spaniard pulled out earlier this month.

Immelman had threatened to build a commanding lead after storming to the turn in just 30 strokes. The South African birdied the first four holes, eagled the 596-yard ninth and then added a birdie on the 10th to stand seven under par.

But the 27-year-old, whose father Johan is commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, was unable to maintain such blistering form and bogeys at the 11th and 12th meant he had to settle for a 67.

Scott fired four birdies, an eagle and one bogey to join Immelman at the head of the field while Sabbatini - who partnered Immelman to World Cup glory at Kiawah Island in 2003 - propped up the field after slumping to a 76.