De Jager's birdie run sets Tshwane Open pace

PRETORIA: South African Louis de Jager set the pace in the Tshwane Open on Thursday with a birdie-peppered seven-under-par first round of 64 in perfect conditions at Pretoria Country Club.

The 30-year-old from the northern Limpopo province leads by one stroke from Chilean Felipe Aguilar, South African Thomas Aiken and American Julian Suri.

South Africans Shaun Norris and Combrinck Smit are a further shot back after rounds of 66 over the 6,476-metre/7,081-yard layout.

Danny Willett of England, the only major winner in a low-profile field, carded a 70 as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Flawless De Jager, whose best European Tour finish was third in the maiden Tshwane Open five years ago, played the back nine first and his seven birdies included three in a row from 16.

"It is a very nice start," said the leader. "It is good to tee off in the morning and then post a score like that. I am very pleased.

"I started off nicely on 10 and then I was a bit slow, but really steady. On my second nine I finished birdie-birdie -- that was the cherry on the cake.

"The course is a bit easier than in previous years, because it is a little softer and the greens are holding much better.

"But the rough is challenging so you have got to hit the ball straight and that was a good part of my game today," said De Jager.

Three-time European Tour winner Aiken birded five consecutive holes from 11, but two bogeys prevented him taking the lead on a clear, warm day.

Aguilar, seeking a third European Tour triumph and first since 2014, played his best golf on the back nine, collecting four birdies.

Suri, the only top-100 ranked golfer in the field, picked up four birdies and dropped one shot over the front nine and birdied three holes on the inward half.

US Masters champion two years ago and a five-time European Tour winner, Willett has slumped to 210 in the world after being sidelined by injury.

He managed only two birdies, and dropped one shot to trail De Jager by five strokes.