The pair struck seven-under-par 65s on Thursday to lead Englishman Daniel Brown by one shot in the DP World Tour event.

The 33-year-old Moolman eagled the first hole and made birdies on the 2nd, 3rd and 6th plus three more on the back nine to get the better of windy conditions on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course.

Norris, 41, started with three successive birdies but then bogeyed twice after the turn before grabbing a share of the lead with birdies on the last two holes.

Brown recorded seven birdies in his round of 66, having not seen the course before. He only arrived on Wednesday afternoon after missing his flight from Europe earlier in the week.

Rikuya Hoshino of Japan, who is the top-ranked player in the field, was one-under-par, while defending champion Matthew Baldwin of England was two-under on 70.

Australian Haydn Barron also continued his DP World Tour efforts with a two-under 70, lying in joint-26th place, while compatriot Jason Scrivener was in joint-88th place with his two-over 74.