Joburg Open

Four-way tie for lead at Joburg Open

ESPN staff

February 6, 2014

Alastair Forsyth shot the round of the day with seven birdies and no dropped shots © Getty Images

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Scottish pair Alastair Forsyth and Craig Lee took a share of the lead on the opening day of the Joburg Open after going seven under par.

South Africa's Justin Walters and Italy's Edoardo Molinari join them at the top of the leaderboard at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.

Lee played the par-72 East course, with the other three on the par-71 West course, shorter by 400 yards.

There are three places at the Open Championship up for grabs to those finishing in the top 10 and otherwise not exempt for Royal Liverpool in July.

"The front nine was probably as good as I've played in a long time," said Forsyth, who made seven birdies and had no dropped shots.

"I seemed to do everything right on the front nine, but I struggled a little on the back, where I ended up between clubs a few times. No dropped shots and seven birdies, so I'm never going to complain with that."

Lee has not made the cut in his last five tournaments in South Africa, but that looks set to change.

"I don't normally play well at all in South Africa, my record here is actually pretty pathetic," he said.

"It's probably a course that should have suited me in the past, because my strength has always been ball striking. I've never played that great a round here, but my game has gotten slightly better over the years."

Joburg Open leaderboard: