PERTH, Australia, Sweden's extrovert and often controversial Jarmo Sandelin stormed to his career-best opening round to capture a one-stroke lead in the Heineken Classic on Thursday.

Sandelin's nine birdies with one bogey provided him with an eight-under-par 64 to head tournament favourite and world number five South African Ernie Els and surprise leaderboard visitor Roger Winchester of England.

A winter break spent building up his body with nutritional foods and gym work every day have added 10 yards to Sandelin's driving. His bizarre 52inch driver, eight inches longer than Els' model, adds 20 yards to his driving anyway, he says.

"I lost a lot of weight last year, about 10 kilos," said Sandelin, who is targeting a European top-10 placing this campaign. "That happened because I lose my appetite when I have all the stress of travelling between tournaments.

"So during the winter break I've been eating meals every three hours and taking nutritional mixture to build myself up, while also working out hard to build up my muscle.

"I averaged 271 yards off the tee last year and now I'm hoping to go over 280."

Sandelin easily achieved that while shooting his 64 on Thursday, as did Els, proving he is finally over the back injury which bedevilled him for the last six months of 1998.

His drive of 295 yards on the 18th earned him one of seven birdies without a dropped shot.

"I couldn't imagine trying to do it with a 52-inch driver, though," joked the double-major champion. "I don't think I could keep it in Australia if I used a 52-inch driver."

Els is aiming for a second win in three weeks to try to make up ground on world rankings number one Tiger Woods and second-placed David Duval.

Sandelin is seeking a third European Tour victory to boost his chances of not only the European top 10 but to make the Ryder Cup team.

The Swede born in Finland has hit the headlines for other reasons in the last two years.

After it was proved that American Masters and British Open champion Mark O'Meara had replaced his ball nearer the hole when winning the 1997 Lancome Trophy in Paris, Sandelin argued O'Meara hand back his trophy and prize money.

The Swede had finished second to O'Meara -- known as one of the game's gentlemen -- and had an angry confrontation with him last spring when the two met at the European Tournament Players Championship in Hamburg.

Ironically then in the 1998 Lancome Trophy, Sandelin was accused of addressing a moving ball and not penalising himself by his playing partner Lee Westwood of England.

Sandelin denied infringing the rules and escaped punishment.

Joint second-placed Winchester celebrated returning to the main tour following four years languishing on the Challenge tour after losing his card with eight birdies and a bogey on this card.

Two players share fourth place a further shot back with 66s, American Neil Kerry and Briton Andrew Coltart.