Solid Rock sets the target

England’s Robert Rock set the clubhouse target with a six-under-par 66 in the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship today.

Playing the back nine at Leopard Creek first, Rock made a solid start with pars on the opening three holes before five birdies in the next six took him to the turn in 32.

Further birdies on the second and sixth were followed by his only bogey of the day on the par-three seventh.

“It was a good opening nine,” said the 31-year-old. “I played really well on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so I kind of just followed up from those practice rounds.

“It was really a comfortable start. I holed some good putts on my first nine and didn’t quite hit it as good on the front nine.

“I had two reasonably short eagle putts, which I missed, and that was a little bit disappointing. But it was still a good round and I’m quite happy.”

World number 10 Lee Westwood then joined Rock on six under after a flawless round containing six birdies and no bogeys.

American Len Mattiace, who lost a play-off to Mike Weir at the Masters in 2003, was a shot clear of the field on seven under with one hole of his round to play.