JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- In his first round as a pro, South African Tyrone Ferreira shot a 6-under 65 Thursday to share the lead at the Joburg Open. The event is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and southern Africa's Sunshine Tour.
Mark Murless also shot 65 at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. Ross McGowan of England, Pablo Larrazabal of Spain and Sion E. Bebb of Wales are tied for third at 66.
The 20-year-old Ferreira, who finished eighth at European Tour Q-School, had six birdies.
Murless was 1 under through eight holes before picking up five straight birdies.
Ferreira carded a bogey-free round that included six birdies on a wet day in Johannesburg, with Murless showing similar composure to fire seven birdies and a bogey.
Rain had made playing conditions difficult, as Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke found out in a disappointing day that saw him finish on 2 over with a round of 73 that included five bogeys.
Home favorites Louis Oosthuizen and James Kingston -- last month's South African Airways Open champion -- were among a group of more than 10 players on 3 under, while Britons David Drysdale and Gary Lockerbie were two shots off the lead after rounds of 67.
But the day belonged to Ferreira and Murless, who rose above the rest with their impressive performances.
"I was very nervous but once I had hit my first tee shot I was okay," said Ferreira, who made his European Tour debut in the SAA Open where he finished 138th. "I hit the ball well today, I was getting it close to the flag and then the putts started dropping."
"I'm very happy with a 65 in these conditions. It was a really special one," said Murless, who finished in a tie for fourth at the tournament last year. "I've always been an up-and-down player, but I've come to terms with that so if I do have a bad tournament, I don't get too demotivated.
"I came fourth here last year, so there's something about this place I enjoy."
Despite his impressive showing, 2007 Sunshine Tour Rookie of the Year McGowan admitted conditions were not easy.
"It's very tough and it's difficult to judge your shots. You've got to carry the ball a lot further," he said. "The fairways are very wet and there's not much run out there, maybe five or six yards, so it's really tough."
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