Portugal’s Ricardo Santos has posted a career low of a nine under par 62 and storm to the lead early on the first day of the Africa Open.

Santos, who last month celebrated the birth of a second child, was in superb form not dropping a shot in posting four birdies on his outward nine, including three in succession from the fifth hole, and then five inward nine birdies, including also three in a row from the 15th.

It is Santos’ lowest European Tour score since a nine under par 63 on route to victory in his maiden Tour victory – the Madeira Islands Open.

Ricardo Santos goes big game hunting with his lowest career score on day one of Africa Open. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)

Santos has finished in the top 30 in his last five events in South Africa, including a top-ten finish at last year’s event.

It left the Oceanico Vilamoura attached pro leading by two shots from South Africa’s Garth Mulroy, Welshman Rhys Davies, England’s Richard Bland and Dane Lucas Bjerregaard – the latter still with two holes The to play.

“I played really solidly today and gave myself a lot of chances for birdie, and I took a lot of those chances,” said Santos.

“I’m very pleased to make a run like I did today.

“I hit the ball solidly from the tee and my putting was all good. To shoot minus nine you have to play awesome golf, so I’m really pleased with every piece of my game.

“If the wind blows this is a very tough course, but today if you put the ball in the fairway you had the chance to shoot a low round.

“I made nine under in Madeira to win the event, but I shot 63 there, because the par was 72. Today was definitely one of my best rounds of golf so far.

“I put the ball very close, didn’t miss a fairway, and that’s the key on this course.”

The highest ranked players in the field – Thomas Aiken (112th) and Darren Fichardt (113th) share 12th place at five under par.