BRETT Liddle has taken a three shot lead in the first round of the Royal Swazi Sun Classic. Liddle shot a brilliant nine-under par 63 on a wet first day. “I’ve never been so calm on a golf course in all my life,” said Liddle, who is hunting his second Vodacom Tour victory this year since winning the Lombard Tyres Classic in April. “There was no chance of me making a mistake. I had no pressure putts. In fact, everything went so smoothly that I was able to enjoy the round for a change.” Mark Murless and Nic Henning both finished with a 66, while Andre Cruse started well with a five-under par 67. Defending champion Justin Hobday joined Zimbabwe’s Marc Cayeux, winner of the Stenham Royal Swazi Sun Open here in February, as one of a host of players on 68. –MWP