Colsaerts Leads Volvo Golf Champions

Nicolas Colsaerts fired a 9-under 64 to take the opening-round lead in the Volvo Golf Champions. The limited-field European Tour event started Thursday at The Links at Fancourt in George, South Africa.

Colsaerts, a 29-year-old from Belgium, carded three birdies and a bogey on the front nine. On the inward half, he got red-hot, firing seven birdies for a 7-under 30 on the par-73 course. His 64, which established a new course record, gave Colsaerts a four-stroke lead over South Africans Branden Grace and Thomas Aiken and Englishman Tom Lewis.

Colsaerts, one of the longest hitters on the European Tour, birdied all four of the par-3s, four of the five par-5s, and nine of his last 11 holes. He used his length to great advantage Thursday. "I can reach most of the par-5s in two so it's quite a bonus when you get to birdie the par-3s," he said.

Four players are tied for fifth after 69s, including two major champions, South African Louis Oosthuizen and Ireland's Padraig Harrington. Colin Montgomery, the captain on the victorious 2010 European Ryder Cup team, carded a 70.

Other scores included 71s posted by former major champions Jose Maria Olazabal and hometown favorite Ernie Els. Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen shot 72 in the 35-man field.

Els was hoping for a better score after playing Fancourt several times over the holidays. "I played here I think about eight to 10 times through the December holiday, making six, seven, eight birdies with my mates but it's different when you are playing competitive golf," Els said. "I'm glad I got it under par and I'm not out of the tournament."

Reigning British Open champion Darren Clarke posted a 74, while 2011 Masters' winner Charl Schwartzel had a 75.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2012/tournamentid=2012003/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y.

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