LAURIE Canter enjoyed a solid first day on the European Tour at the Alfred Dunhill Championships in South Africa.

After earning his tour card last week after finishing in the top 25 at qualifying school, the Cumberwell Park pro finished the day with a one-under-par 71.

The 25-year-old had a disappointing start at the Leopard Creek CC as he bogeyed the 11th after teeing off on the 10th.

But Canter hit back with birdies fours on 13 and 15 to hit the turn one-under.

He then moved to three-under for the day with birdies on two and four only for double-bogey six on eight to cancel them out.

Meanwhile, club mate Steve Surry endured a difficult opening round as he fired a six-over 78.

After parring the opening two holes, Surry bogeyed the third before a triple-bogey seven on the sixth and a bogey five on the ninth left him five-over par.

The Cumberwell Park man then pulled a shot back on the 11th with a birdie three before back-to-back bogeys on 12 and 13 saw him fall to six-over.

Surry dropped another shot on the 16th before ending the day with a birdie four on the final hole.