• Alfred Dunhill Championship

Madsen in command at Alfred Dunhill Championship

Charl Schwartzel is three shots off the pace © Getty Images

Enlarge

Morten Orum Madsen kept his recent good form going as he tops the leaderboard on the opening day of the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

The Dane, who triumphed at the South African Open Championship to claim his maiden European Tour victory last week, carded a seven-under 65 to storm to the top of the standings.

Madsen with eight birdies and just the one bogey holds a one-shot lead over Allan Versfeld and Ricardo Santos, who both carded rounds of 66 to put themselves into contention on the opening day.

Defending champion Charl Schwartzel is three shots off the pace, but could not maintain his bright start to the tournament as after five birdies in his opening six holes he scored a bogey and a double bogey at his eighth and 10th holes.

"Today it seemed easy but it definitely wasn't. It was pretty tough out there and the course was playing long with the wind," Madsen said.

"I played really solidly. I gave myself a lot of looks at birdie and a lot of shorter ones which was nice.

"I have a lot of confidence right now, I really believe I am going to hit good shots on pretty much every shot. I don't pull off all of them - I hit my tee shot on the seventh in the water - but the majority of them came off well and I rolled in some nice putts.

"I'm really, really happy with how I played, I heard it's tough to come out the week after you have won and play well but I felt pretty relaxed in the days leading up to the tournament and I just wanted to go out and see if I can put some solid shots together and I managed to do that today and put myself in a good position. Hopefully I can keep it up.

"I wasn't expecting to shoot 65 today, I knew I was playing well but I won last week so everything that happens this week or next week is going to be icing on the cake. I am just trying to enjoy the ride."

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd