Jean Hugo launched his bid for a Sunshine Tour season triple with a flawless opening 65 to join the logjam in control of the first round of the Lombard Insurance Classic in Swaziland on Friday.

The 32-year old Stellenbosch professional shares pole position with veteran Chris Williams, unheralded Albert Pistorius and seasoned campaigner Bafana Hlophe.

The leading foursome is one shot clear of Josh Cunliffe, who is stepping up his preparation for his debut at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July.

A slew of seven players share the bus at five-under, including former winner Lindani Ndwandwe from Durban and the pint-size Free State fireball, Jbe’ Kruger.

Hugo continued his love affair with the Royal Swazi Sun Country Club layout where he triumphed in the Samsung Royal Swazi Sun Open just three weeks ago. He picked up six birdies — three apiece on each nine — and gave nothing back.

“I played good, consistent golf today,” said Hugo, who launched to eighth on the current rankings with his seventh Sunshine Tour victory at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Tour Kwazulu Natal last week.

“I hit the driver nicely and the execution on the greens was key to my round. The course is playing very different to a month ago. They had some rain and there is very little run on the fairways, but the rough is running.

“I had to approach the course with a whole new game plan and this week won’t be a walkover. It’s nice if you can get around this layout with no mistakes — it really puts you in the early running.”

While Hugo was all smiles in the afternoon, playing partner and one of the tournament favourites, Bradford Vaughan also got off to a fast start but faced some trouble coming home.

A three-time winner and birdie machine in Swaziland, Vaughan came into this week off a runner-up finish at Selborne.

The lanky Vanderbijlpark pro started with back-to-back birdies at the first and second and picked his third after the turn at the first. A double bogey at the fourth set back the former Swazi Classic winner, but Vaughan rallied with birdies at five, seven and nine to get himself back in the hunt with a four-under-par 68.