Colsaerts takes stronghold in Fancourt

Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts carded a course-record 64 to take a four-shot lead after the first round of the Volvo Golf Champions on Thursday.

Colsaerts produced the dazzling nine-under round at Fancourt, South Africa, after a stunning finish on the opening day.

The 29-year-old birdied nine of the last 11 holes to establish a healthy lead over local pair Branden Grace and Thomas Aiken, as well as Englishman Tom Lewis.

Colsaerts, who won the China Open last year, hailed his round the finest of his career.

"This is probably the best of my life. It's a serious test of golf," he said afterwards.

"I think the longest putt I holed was from 12 feet on the second."

Last week's Joburg Open winner Grace and one time European Tour event champion Aiken had contrasting rounds, with the former starting poorly before finishing well and the latter hitting his straps early.

Lewis was headed for an excellent round, but a double bogey on the par-five 16th cost him outright second.

Irishman and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington also blew an opportunity, double bogeying the 18th on an otherwise blemish-free four-under round.

Alongside him at four-under are Englishman David Horsey, Dutchman Joost Luiten and South African Louis Oosthuizen.

South African Charl Schwartzel's slow start to the season continued as he could only manage a two-over round, while British Open winner Darren Clarke is just one shot better off.