Ireland's Paul Dunne struggled to a one over par 73 on his debut as a full European Tour memeber at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

After winning his card at Q-School last weekend the Greystones golfer travelled straight to South Africa to begin his professional career.

Two birdies in his opening five holes saw him off to a quick start but the tough nature of professional golf soon caught up on him.

A double bogey at the sixth, followed by bogeys at the eighth, ninth and 14th saw the 22-year-old slip to three over.

But he battled back to birdie the 15th and 18th to post a 73, nine shots off the lead held by South African native Christiaan Basson.

The 27-year-old South African carded eight birdies at the Leopard Creek Country Club to lead by three shots.

Meanwhile, after missing out on winning their tour cards last week, Kevin Phelan and Peter Lawrie both received sponsor's invites to the season opener.

Mount Juliet’s Phelan took full advantage, carding five birdies to close with a two under par round of 70.

Things were drastically different for Lawrie however as he suffered a disastrous 79 after a triple bogey on his opening hole.

The golfers had to contend with temperatures close to 40 degrees and a thunderstorm later in the day that meant the first round was not completed.

Former U.S. Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, who has won three times at Leopard Creek, had to leave the course on the 17th just as he was charging up the leaderboard at five under.

Qualifier Mark Williams of Zimbabwe, with birdies on his last two holes, and Englishman Matt Ford, who recently secured his Tour card, shot 67s earlier in the day.

Former Ryder Cup player Niclas Fasth of Sweden marked his 500th tour event by recording a 68. He was joined at four-under by six other players.