MALELANE, South Africa (AP) — Morten Orum Madsen leads the Alfred Dunhill Championship after shooting a 7-under 65 in the opening round at Leopard Creek.
The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africa’s Allan Versfeld and Portugal’s Ricardo Santos.
Charl Schwartzel, the man Madsen overtook on the way to winning the season-opening South African Open on Sunday, shares fourth with a 4-under 68. Schwartzel had seven birdies, but slipped up with a bogey and a double-bogey. The 2011 Masters winner is the defending champion at the Alfred Dunhill.
American John Daly shot an even par 72 for a tie for 48th in his second tournament since right elbow surgery in July.
