Rose and Donald shine in Sun City

European number one Justin Rose and fellow Englishman Luke Donald were just one shot off the lead after the first round of the Nedbank Challenge.

Rose and Donald both returned rounds of 68, four under par, at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.

Home favourite Trevor Immelman and Australian Adam Scott led the way on five under after rounds of 67, while three-time winner Ernie Els was two off the pace on three under.

Rose enjoyed a flying start with birdies at the first two holes before a run of seven straight pars took him to the turn in 34.

The 27-year-old, whose victory at the Volvo Masters at the start of the month secured his first Order of Merit crown, then birdied the 10th and 17th on the back nine to complete a flawless round.

Donald, seeking his first victory of 2007, fired one bogey and one birdie on the front nine before sparking into life on the back nine.

The Ryder Cup star birdied the 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th to come home in 32 and finish just one behind late entrant Immelman.

Immelman, who replaced Sergio Garcia in the 12-man field after the Spaniard pulled out earlier this month, had threatened to build a commanding lead after storming to the turn in just 30 strokes.

The South African birdied the first four holes, eagled the 596-yard ninth and then added a birdie on the 10th to stand seven under par.

But the 27-year-old, whose father Johan is commissioner of the Sunshine Tour, was unable to maintain such blistering form and bogeys at the 11th and 12th meant he had to settle for a 67.