Richard Sterne was the best-placed of the South Africans on Thursday in the first round of the DP World Tour’s Italian Open at Argentario Golf Club, Monte Argentario in Italy.

He carded an opening two-under-par 68 with three birdies and a bogey to be in a share of 18th. He was four shots off the lead, which was held with an immaculate six-under-par 64 by England’s Dan Bradbury. Bradbury was one clear of Norway’s Andreas Halvorsen and Italy’s Francesco Laporta.

Sterne shared 18th with 20 other players, and there were 15 players between him and the pair in second on a crowded leaderboard.

Shaun Norris was on one-under in a share of 39th after a round that included two bogeys, together with, amongst others, Jayden Schaper. Robin Williams, Ryan van Velzen and Louis Albertse were on level-par in a share of 63rd.

Darren Fichardt, Justin Harding and Zander Lombard were a shot further back.