PAARL, WESTERN CAPE, South Africa, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Paraguay's Fabrizio Zanotti shot 8-under-par 64 Thursday and leads the European Tour's South African Open by one stroke.
His round at the Pearl Valley Golf Estates in Paarl, Western Cape, was marred by a bogey at the 386-yard 10th hole, but nine birdies, including at the first three holes, helped him forge the one-stroke lead over Sweden's Oskar Henningsson.
"I have been playing great since qualifying school," Zanotti said. "This is a great tournament. There is a lot of history and tradition here (and) I am very happy with my game at the moment."
Henningsson, playing the back nine first, made birdies at the first and second, and closed with back-to-back birdies.
At 6-under 66, tied for third place, are world No. 10 Lee Westwood of England, South Africa's Rory Sabbatini, and six others.
Defending champion James Kingston of South Africa opened with an even-par 72 that left him in a tie for 74th place.
