Nic Henning leads Joburg Open by one after course record-tying 62

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nic Henning made seven birdies and an eagle and equaled the course record with his 9-under 62 for the first-round lead at the Joburg Open on Thursday. 

Henning had five of his birdies and the eagle on the first nine to go out in 29 on the par-71 West Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. The European Tour's first 59 seemed a real possibility then, but Henning made just two birdies coming home. 

Henning still matched Desvonde Botes' record on the course where he also won the South African Amateur Championship in 1991.

''I've been playing well for the last few months, but my scores haven't showed it,'' Henning said. ''Over the last few years my scores have been really terrible and it's nice to have a good round under the belt to prove to myself that I can still play well.''

Henning is yet to win on the European Tour, and last won on South Africa's Sunshine Tour in 2005. He leads by a shot from South African compatriots Tjaart van der Walt and Titch Moore, and Belgium's Thomas Pieters.

Moore had a hole-in-one on the par-3 No. 5, as the 13 leading players after round one all opened on the easier West Course. Players play a round each on the West and East courses before moving to the East for the weekend.

The Joburg Open has the added incentive of offering a place at the British Open at St. Andrews for the leading three players in the top 10 not already exempt.

Newly appointed Europe Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke opened with a level-par 72 on the East Course.

England's Sam Hutsby and South African Wallie Coetsee carded the best scores on the East Course with their 6-under 66s for a share of eighth place.

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