DAVID Howell made a blistering start to his bid for a first European Tour title since September 2013 to sit just behind the leaders on day one of the Joburg Open in South Africa.

Howell, who was second at this tournament last year, carded an eagle and four birdies on an unblemished scorecard of six under par to lie one stroke behind first-round pacesetter Justin Walters at the Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club.

"I wrote in my yardage book today to just be my own best friend, not to be too hard on myself, and really try and not care about the bad shots and focus on the good ones," he said.

"We're always trying to be like that, but it doesn't always pan out that way, but I made a concerted effort to really be very kind to myself today and when I did hit a poor shot I moved on from it pretty quickly."

Playing the easier of the two courses in use this week, the West, Swindon's two-time Ryder Cup star took full advantage, reaching the turn in 33, three under par, with birdies at the second, fifth and sixth.

His back nine appeared to be proceeding uneventfully until Howell roared into life with a birdie and the 14th followed by an eagle at the long 15th on his way to returning home in 32.

Howell last tasted victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland more than two and a half years ago but finished inside the top 25 on the Race to Dubai standings last season and opened his 2016 campaign with a top 40 finish in the BMW SA Open last week.

Alongside him in the field this week are fellow Wiltshire professionals Laurie Canter and Steve Surry, based out of the Cumberwell Park club in Bradford on Avon, who both made encouraging starts.

Canter, who clinched playing rights on the tour for 2016 at qualifying school in November, carded an opening round of two under par 69 on the West Course .

Surry, who holds playing rights on the South African Sunshine Tour, posted a one-under-par 71 on the East, where home player Walters fired a seven under par 65 to move ahead but had a chasing pack of six - Howell included - hot on his heels.

Swedes Michael Jonzon and Johan Carlsson and South African Haydn Porteous signed for 66s on the East Course, while England's Anthony Wall and Zimbabwean Mark Williams carded 65s on the par 71 West layout.