Derick Petersen led 10 players into the main draw of the Sunshine Tour’s Kit Kat Group Pro-Am on Thursday when he carded a nine-under-par 63 to top the leaderboard of the pre-qualifier at Irene Country Club.

That gave him a three-stroke edge over Hayden Griffiths and England’s Chris Cannon, with Richard Joubert, Ryan Cairns of Zimbabwe, Gordon Neale, Aubrey Beckley and Byron Coetzee on five-under-par 67 in a share of fourth.

Teaghan Gauche and Allister de Kock survived a marathon 10-man play-off for the remaining two places on four-under-par.

Petersen made an eagle, eight birdies and a bogey in his round.