Oliver Bekker shot a seven-under-par 65 to share the lead with Warren Abery after the first round of the Dimension Data Pro-Am being played on all three courses at Fancourt.
Bekker has simplified the thought processes around his swing and it showed on Thursday.
"I kept on getting into the same bad habits with my Titleist VG3 Iron Set with Steel Shafts," said Bekker, "and my coach and I have figured out why. So at the moment, I've got one or two swing thoughts and I'm just trying to work on that."
After a quiet start with no birdies in the opening eight holes, Bekker eagled nine on Montagu, and then made five birdies on the homeward nine to share the overall lead with Warren Abery who played the first round on Outeniqua.
Neil Schietekat was one stroke further back on six-under, a great score from par-73 The Links. All players have a round each on Outeniqua, Montagu - two par-72 course - and The Links ahead of the cut and the final round on Montagu.
Bekker attributed his slow start to not really being able to see the lines on his putts. "But then on nine, I made like a 60-footer from the back edge of the green, and that got me going," he said.
"After I birdied 10, I started hitting it a little closer, and made two nice putts again, and then on 17 I lipped out for an ace, and on 18, almost made eagle," he added.
He took seven-iron off the tee on the 190-metre 17th for his near-ace, and then his 190-yard approach on the par-five 18th was also with his Titleist VG3 Iron Set with Steel Shafts. "I hit it just over the back and lipped my putt out from there."
Bekker, 27, won his maiden professional title last year when he took September's Northern Cape Classic, and he is looking to ride his rediscovered form to a second win.
"To get that first win under the belt is crucial," he said, "and I feel I've got the game to win more tournaments, so I hope to add one or two more this year.
"And the Dimension Data Pro-Am would definitely be a cool one to win," he added.
Abery started with a bogey on his first hole, but he was quick to get his Titleist VG3 Iron Set with Steel Shafts back on track after the early error.
"I got an unlucky lie on the first hole," he said, "and I managed to make eight birdies from there. I think the first was the only green I missed.
"I came here this week playing really well," he added, "and I'm hitting my Titleist VG3 Iron Set with Steel Shaftsreally close and putting well, and I think that's the key to these courses."