DURBAN: Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee wielded a hot putter as he fired a seven-under-par 65 in blustery conditions to seize a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Volvo Golf Champions yesterday.

British Open champion Ernie Els of South Africa and compatriot Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open winner, carded 68s to lie joint second while Briton Paul Lawrie was among seven players on three-under.

Former paratrooper Thongchai, ranked 80 and who qualified courtesy of his Wales Open triumph last June, made light of the strong winds and posted five birdies in his outward nine holes for a score of 31.

Further birdies at the 10th and 15th holes followed and he canceled out his only bogey of the day at the 17th with a fine up-and-down from the sand at the 18th for birdie.

“I made long putts from everywhere. I had 24 or 25 putts today, and I haven’t putted this well in a long time,” Thongchai said.

“It’s very, very exciting to come here because I’ve never been to South Africa before. I’m very happy to finish seven-under in the first round of 2013,” he added.

Gusting winds and steady rain affected play for much of the afternoon, but the 43-year-old remained unaffected and called on the experience he gained from his victory in similar conditions in Wales last year.

“We have no choice. Everyone has to play in this, and I enjoy it,” said the five-times European Tour winner.

“We play most of the time in Europe in conditions like this. Like Scotland, there is a lot of wind, and this is a links course — it’s almost the same. I won in the same wind like this in Wales, and it was also raining in that one.” Els, who won the 2011 South African Open at the same course, was pleased with his seven-birdie effort given the conditions.

“It was tough. It was the first round of the year, and we had to work really hard today. It was blustery right from the first hole, but then the rain came really hard for our whole back nine,” said the four-times major champion.

“So just to keep the ball in play, and to keep it down — it was a totally different golf course from what I remember yesterday,” added the 43-year-old.

Woods to open

Tiger Woods will begin his season next week at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, the 14-times major winner said on Wednesday, the second consecutive year he will start his campaign in the United Arab Emirates.

Woods finished tied third in the European Tour event last year, two shots behind winner Robert Rock of England who he shared the lead with after 54 holes of play.

World number one Rory McIlroy has also signed up to play in the $2.7 million event at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club ,which starts on Jan. 17.

“I’m excited to compete again,” Woods said in a statement on his website. “Hopefully my good practice sessions will carry over.” The world number three will then head back home to compete in the US PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open which starts on Jan. 24.

The 37-year-old has a strong record at Torrey Pines, winning the event six times under the previous Buick Invitational name and also claiming the 2008 US Open at the San Diego venue.

He missed last year’s event because of a schedule clash with the Abu Dhabi tournament.

“Obviously, I’ve had good success at Torrey Pines,” Woods said. “I practically grew up playing the South and North Courses. The fans have always been supportive, and I look forward to returning.” Woods, who won three times last year to take him to 74 PGA Tour wins and second on the all-time list behind Sam Snead’s 82, did not commit to any other tournaments in Wednesday’s release apart from the four majors.