Darren Clarke didn’t drop a shot despite describing as ‘brutal’ this week’s Tshwane Open course and one of the longest on the 2013 Race to Dubai schedule.

Clarke posted three birdies in a three under par 69 on the Ernie Els designed Copperleaf course in Centurion, and on land once owned by the four-time Major winning South African.

Sweden’s Bjorn Akesson shoots a 66 to move into second place on day one of the Tshwane Open. (Photo – Catherin Kotze/SASPA )

However it was in-form Springbok Darren Fichardt setting the pace with a five under par 67 in the inaugural staging of the European and Sunshine co-sanctioned event.

Fichardt, 37 won last fortnight’s Africa Open and is now looking to win a second straight Race to Dubai success.

And the four-time Tour winner, who lives just 10 minutes from the Copperleaf course, was one of just three players in the leading 25 to birdie the longest hole in the 41-year history of the European Tour – the 626-metre par five, fourth hole.

The course itself measures 7,123 meters and that’s 447 meters longer than this year’s Irish Open host venue at Carton House.

Clarke, and one of three Major Champions competing in the inaugural South African event, picked up birdies at his first and sixth hole, and then after 10 straight pars the current World No. 164 ranked player birdied his last.

“The course is brutally long in places but then some of the short holes are typical Ernie Els designed,” said Clarke.

“Then there’s the par five, fourth hole at 685 yards, and it’s a hole you can’t hammer in two.

“But it was just nice not to drop a shot today and that will be the key this week.

“As for the game, it’s been a very frustrating period but one of these weeks it has to fall back into place and hopefully this could be the week.

“The weather that home hasn’t been very good, about minus one or minus two degrees, but I have been out every day chipping balls.”