Defending champion Max Homa of the USA leads the way on six under par after the opening round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City.

He’s one shot ahead of South Africa’s Ockie Strydom who completed his first round in five under par 67.

Homa started where he left off last year when he won the tournament at the first time of asking. The American birdied his first 3 holes and then carded 3 more on holes 6, 9 and 11 which moved him to 6 under and into the lead on his own.

He looked unstoppable but hit a bad patch, dropping shots on 13 and 15. Homa repaired the damage, making birdies on 17 and 18 which got him back in the lead on his own.

Strydom who started his round on the 10th hole, made a birdie and an eagle over his first 5 holes before dropping a shot on the 15th.

That was his only blemish of the day and birdies on holes 2, 4 and 5 allowed Homa to take the clubhouse lead when he completed his round.

Thriston Lawrence was in the same group as the defending champion, and he had a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

He’s 5 shots behind the leader after an opening round of one under par 71.

It included 4 birdies birdies and 3 bogies.