Bebb takes lead in South Africa

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
-5 S Bebb (Wal) -4 C Lee (Sco), O Sandys (SA)
-3 R Bland (Eng), G Coetzee (SA), T Simon (SA)
Selected others:
-2 E Els (SA), J Bickerton (Eng)
+1 D Clarke (NIre)
+3 S Dyson (Eng)

Welshman Sion Bebb took a one-shot lead after the first round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Bebb fired a five-under 67 to finish ahead of Scotland's Craig Lee and South African Omar Sandys at Leopard Creek near the Kruger National Park.

England's Richard Bland was in a group on three under with world number five Ernie Els two under.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke carded a one-over 73, while England's Ross Fisher shot 74.

The 39-year-old Bebb, the world number 431, amassed six birdies and a bogey in the co-sanctioned European Tour event.

"Excellent - I am very happy," he said.

"It was very difficult out there. The first nine holes and when I started off the 10th, the wind was swirling everywhere.

"I was hitting good shots, but I still thought it's going to be a very tough day. But I just hung on in there and holed some putts."

Bebb's father Dewi won 34 rugby union caps for Wales between 1959 and 1967 and also played for the British Lions.

Source: BBC Sport