Kevin Phelan and Matt Ford fired matching 5-under 67s in Sunday's first round and they share a 1-shot lead at the Africa Open.
Both Phelan and Ford are seeking their first career victory on the European Tour. Phelan just missed out on a win last week at the Joburg Open, settling for a tie for second with four others behind Andy Sullivan.
It is a crowded leaderboard through one round at East London Golf Club, as 22 players are within three shots of the lead. Richard Bland, David Howell, John Parry, Neil Schietekat and Eduardo de la Riva are all one shot behind the leaders after opening up with 4-under 68s.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, Gregory Havret, Tom Lewis, Oliver Bekker, Trevor Fisher Jr. and Chris Lloyd carded 3-under 69s, putting them two shots behind Phelan and Ford. They are tied for eighth.
Sullivan, who has two wins in South Africa this season at last week's Joburg Open and the South African Open Championship in early January, shot an even- par 72, tying him for 44th with 27 others.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
[SportsNetwork.com]
