Rookie shines on first round as pro

Johannesburg, South Africa -- Tyrone Ferreira, playing his first round as a professional, shot a 6-under-par 65 Thursday and tied for first-round lead at the Joburg Open in South Africa.

Ferreira is tied with Mark Murless for the lead, one stroke ahead of Sion E. Bebb, Pablo Larrazabal and Ross McGowan. Seven other golfers are at 4-under 67.

Play is on the East and West courses at Royal Johannesburg the first two days, with only the East Course being used for the final two rounds. Rain through the day Thursday made the West Course, which both Ferreira and Murless played in the first round, play easier.

Ferreira had a very steady round of six birdies and 12 pars. He birdied No. 2 and dropped to 3-under with birdies at 4 and 5. He had three birdies in four holes of the back side, moving to 6-under through 14 and finishing with four pars.

Murless was 1-under through eight holes but made five consecutive birdies for his share of the lead.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.