Sion Bebb from Wales overcame swirling winds to claim a one-stroke lead after the Dunhill Championship first round today. Dubliner Stephen Browne is well-placed just three shots of the lead.

Bebb's five-under-par 67 left him one ahead of fellow Scotland's Craig Lee and South African Omar Sandys at the co-sanctioned event by the European and Sunshine tours.

South African duo Thabang Simon and George Coetzee were a further shot adrift on 69 alongside England's Richard Bland.

World number five Ernie Els was also well placed on two under alongside Browne.

"I have to be happy with a 70, the wind was all over the place," Els told reporters. "It's strange weather in South Africa at the moment and the wind was swirling around the greens. It made it very hard."

Bebb picked up three birdies on his inward half, the first nine at Leopard Creek, and almost aced the par-three seventh when his tee shot hit the cup and bounced out.

"It was an excellent day. I'm very happy and where I want to be," said the Welshman. "I holed more putts than I could have expected. My putter was my strongest club today, I needed just 25 putts, whereas last year I was averaging 31 putts per round."

Ryder Cup hero Darren Clarke, on the comeback trail after slipping to 247th in the world rankings, carded a 73.

England's Ross Fisher, joint leader of the European order of merit with Lee Westwood, shot 76.