GARY Emerson's season got off to the worst possible start after chalking up a career-worst 12 on his card in the South African Airways Open yesterday.

The Broadstone touring professional's hole from hell came at the demanding 476-yard par four first hole and accounted for a six-over-par 78.

Ironically, Emerson was in good shape on level par after nine holes before the wheels came off his round in dramatic fashion at Erinvale Golf Club in Cape Town.

Emerson, who began his first round at the 10th, had successfully negotiated his front nine with just one dropped shot and a birdie before standing on the tee at the first hole.

Despite finding a dry water hazard with his drive, there was nothing to indicate the horrendous score which followed.

"The ball was sitting up in a small bush and was playable, but it would have been a risky shot and I decided to do the sensible thing and take a drop," explained Emerson.

Emerson took his medicine and dropped the ball on the fairway 70 yards back from its original position leaving himself a 250-yard approach shot to the green.

His first attempt to find the target with a three-wood hit a cart path and ricocheted out of bounds.

Playing his fifth shot, Emerson reloaded and a fired a carbon copy of his previous shot. Now playing his seventh, Emerson thought it was third time lucky only to see his ball plug in a greenside bunker.

"At this point I began to see the funny side," said Emerson. "I have never scored so badly on one hole before. It was a case of laughing or crying."

After escaping from the trap, Emerson chipped onto the green and three putted. Amazingly, Emerson shrugged off his disappointment with a birdie two at the next hole and went on to negotiate his last seven holes with another birdie and no more blemishes.

"Despite the one disaster, I was pleased with how I responded. Many players' games would have gone to pieces, so I have to be happy with my finish.

"It's a shame because I had played well all day apart from that one hole."

Dorset's Lee James is three shots better off than Emerson after firing a three-over-par 75 in his opening round. The former British amateur champion carded four bogies, one double bogey, one birdie and an eagle.

Shaun Webster meanwhile was denied a place in the field after firing a one-under par 71 in qualifying at a neighbouring course - one too many for a starting berth.

The Poole-based star was not too despondent though. He said: "I haven't played too much in recent weeks and it gives me a chance to do some intense practice to get me ready for the new season."

South African Jean Hugo was the overnight leader on six under par. Only 34 players managed to break par.