WGC golfer Tom Lewis

Welwyn Garden City golfer Tom Lewis has made a superb start at the 2012 Volvo Golf Champions event in South Africa as he is tied third after the first round of play.

With the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Lewis’ playing partner in the opening round, British Open 2011 winner Darren Clarke and world number 9-ranked Charl Schwartzel in the field, competition is fierce at The Links at Fancourt.

Yet Lewis, who won the Silver Medal at the British Open for finishing as the highest placed amateur, seems to have taken the course in his stride, and finished the opening round five under par after shooting a 68.

This included birdies on the fifth, sixth, eighth, 10th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes, although he will have been disappointed with a double-bogey on the 16th.

Sitting alongside Tom in third spot, also shooting respective 68s are South African pair Branden Grace and Thomas Aiken.

Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts broke the course record with a dazzling nine under par 64 to take the early lead in the European Tour event.

The winner out in South Africa will pick up a cool €350,000, with second place collecting €225,000 and third €130,000