MALELANE, South Africa, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Anthony Michael fired a 6-under-par 66 Thursday and owns a 1-stroke lead after one round of the European Tour's Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.
The Dunhill marks the start of the 2011 tournament calendar for the European PGA.
Michael had seven birdies and one bogey in taking the lead over Sebastian Buhl, Robert Rock and Dawie Van der Walt, who are each at 5-under 67. Michael and Van der Walt are playing in their home country.
Two other South Africans -- Keith Horne and Andrew Georgiou -- are in a group tied for sixth at 4-under 68.
Michael opened with a birdie at the first hole and added another at No. 4. He made the turn at 4-under after birdies at 8 and 9. A birdie at the 10th made it three in a row but he bogeyed No. 12. He followed that with back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14 and parred in from there for his 66.
"I struggled a bit today off the tees, I hit only three fairways, but from the rough to the greens was good and on the greens was amazing," Michael said.
"I came in with a lot of confidence and I had a good feel out there."
