Coetsee shoots 9 birdies to lead

South African Wallie Coetsee posted nine birdies in his seven-under-par 65 to lead the South African Open after Thursday's first round.

Coetsee upstaged the pre-tournament favourites to lead Englishmen Greg Owen and Paul Eales and South African Des Terblanche by one shot.

Eales owed his seven birdies to some superb putting while Owen carded five birdies and an eagle on the par-five 12th.

South African Retief Goosen, the 1995 winner, was the best placed of the favourites after a 68 while world number six, England's Lee Westwood, was handily placed at three under.

"I'm a bit rusty so I couldn't read the greens on the front nine," Westwood said.

"But I would have settled for level par at the start of the day with this being my first competitive round of the year."

Coetsee, who played in ideal conditions in the morning, could well have finished two ahead.

After hitting his tee shot to within six feet of the hole on the picturesque par-three 17th he three-putted for a bogey four.

"I couldn't believe it but you have to take the good with the bad," he said philosophically.

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