Welshman Jamie Donaldson stormed into the lead in the Sun City Golf Challenge on Friday, establishing a three-stroke buffer over Henrik Stenson and Ryan Moore.
The morning after the death of former South African President Nelson Mandela began with a minute's silence in honour of the great man at the Gary Player Country Club, before the weather delayed first round was resumed.
Donaldson completed a first round of five under par 67 to finish round one in second spot on the leaderboard.
He soon put his foot down to accelerate away from the field, firing seven birdies in 14 holes to move to 11 under par and three clear of golf's form man Stenson and American Moore.
"I played really well. I hit a lot of iron shots quite close which enabled me to make a few putts. The greens are not big here, so if you can get it near the flag you are never too far away," said Donaldson.
"I have been playing nicely the last three weeks; it is a good end to the year and obviously the last event of the season.
"I am looking forward to some time at home with the family and Christmas as home, but I have been on a good run and have two important days to go first, which I am very much looking forward to."
