Darren Clarke shot a course record nine-under-par 63 but overnight leader Bruce Vaughan held on to the early clubhouse lead in the Sun City Pro-Am tournament yesterday.

Clarke fired nine birdies, including six in an opening nine of 30, after starting at the 10th hole.

American Vaughan produced an eagle three on the 16th to finish with a four-under-par 68 over the Lost City layout, his total of 133 giving him a one-stroke lead over Clarke.

Clarke was two shots clear of South African Hennie Walters, who shot a 66 over the Gary Player designed course. The tournament sees professionals alternate between the two adjacent courses at the Sun City resort during the first two rounds, with the last 36 holes played over the Gary Player layout.

Clarke, who was one of 10 players to have previously shot 64 over the course, in the 1999 Million Dollar Challenge, said he had played his final hole, the ninth, with the intention of shooting a 62.

However, his six-iron approach shot ran through to the back of the green, leaving him with a difficult two-putt for the 63.

"I hit it too well. It came right out of the middle of the club and carried a little too far," he said, adding if the ball had pitched any shorter, it would have fed down off the slope and left him a good birdie chance.

Clarke's round followed a disastrous performance in the South African Open last week, when he missed the cut by 10 shots. "That's just the way I am. If I play well, I play very well," said Clarke.