Home-favourite Jaco van Zyl opened up a one-shot lead after the first round of the South Africa Open earlier today.

Beginning on the back nine, 36-year-old Van Zyl reached the turn in 32 and then went on to eagle the par-five second to hand him the clubhouse lead on seven-under.

"I had a couple of weeks off spending time with the family and had my share of whiskey and Christmas pudding so it was really nice to get off to a good start," he told reporters.

"It was not like I was holing it from everywhere. I hit a couple close early on, managed to capitalise there and just kept it together the last few holes."

As for defending champion Andy Sullivan, he finished with a three-over 75 to leave the Englishman 10 shots adrift of the leader.

Play was suspended at 5.30pm local time because of lightning with 33 players left out on the course.