Van den Berg makes hot start

South African Ulrich Van den Berg banished the memories of a last round meltdown four years ago to take the lead on the opening day of the new European Tour season.

The 34-year-old, ranked 657th in the world, led the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek by four with 12 holes to play in 2005, but then crashed to an inward 44.

He has missed the halfway cut in the event every year since, but a flawless eight under par 64 this time has put him one in front of Swede Pelle Edberg.

Ernie Els, the player who took advantage of Van den Berg’s collapse but had his own nightmare on the course two years ago with a closing triple bogey eight when two ahead, birdied the hole on his return and signed for a 68.

Van den Berg, who did not manage a single top 20 finish in 12 starts in Europe last season, came home in a five under 30.

“I’ve been struggling with my game for at least a year now, and haven’t been anywhere near my best,” he said on the tournament website.

“I’ve felt my game has been coming around, but mentally I’ve just been all over the show.

“I felt very peaceful and relaxed out there. For me it always depends on my putting – if it’s good then I feel I can relax.”