Charl Schwartzel took a step closer to winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship for a record fifth time by shooting 66 on Thursday to co-lead after the first round.

The 10-time European Tour winner has a love affair with Leopard Creek that started in 2001. Since then he’s been an incredible 128 under par there, including Thursday’s 66, and has won four times.

‘My game was feeling good, but it was just a matter of getting the execution I was looking for, and on the back nine it came together nicely,’ he said.

The 2011 Masters champ kept a clean sheet and made six birdies during the first round to share top spot with Ireland’s Paul Dunne.

‘For me, I feel if I can get the ball in play off the tee, with how my irons are feeling and with how good the greens are, I feel if I drive the ball well I’ll give myself loads of chances,’ said Dunne.