Michael leads after opening in Parys

Michael topped the leaderboard with a round where he settled himself with some key putts early on. “I had a few testers early on six and eight footers and I made all of them,” Michael said after his round.

“That really solidified the round and got the confidence going. Those kinds of putts are make or break for your round. If you make them you get off to a good start.

“If you miss them, you’re fighting off the back foot. So I felt confident.” Attie Schwartzel is his nearest challenger, with Brandon Pieters in a group at four-under in his return tournament, after struggling with a hip injury.

Further down the leaderboard, Vaughn Groenewald is four shots off the lead and Andre Cruse is five behind.

– Sapa