MPUMALANGA, 17 October 2008 – Gauteng based pro golfer Ulrich van den Berg penciled in five birdies to claim a one shot lead at the turn in the first round of the Metmar Highveld Classic at Witbank Golf Club on Friday.

Van Den Berg reeled in birdies at the first, third, fifth, eighth and ninth to set the early pace, followed closely by Brandon Pieters.

The 32-year-old Benoni pro found similar reward at the first, third, fourth, fifth and seventh holes, but his near-perfect scorecard was spoilt with a double-bogey on the second.

Pieters, in turn, is one-shot clear of a seven-man cluster tied for third.

Pretoria based Jaco Ahlers leads the charge at three-under that also includes Bloemfontein spitfire Jbe’ Kruger, James Kamte from the Eastern Cape and Pretoria rookie Louis Moolman.

Early first round leaderboard from the Metmar Highveld Classic:

-5 Ulrich van den Berg (through 9)

-4 Brandon Pieters (through 9)

-3 Jaco Ahlers (through 12); Henk Alberts (through 12); Prinavin Nelson (through 12); Jbe' Kruger (through 9); James Kamte (through 9); Louis Moolman (through 9)

-2 Heinrich Bruiners (through 12); Louis de Jager (through 9)

www.sunshinetour.com