Fisher sizzles in Sun City heat to set the pace

Ross Fisher of England watches his shot from the second hole during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Nikhil Monteiro

(Reuters) - Britain's Ross Fisher defied the Sun City heat to shoot a six-under 66 and take a two-shot lead in the race for the $1.25 million first prize after the opening round of the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa on Thursday.

Fisher carded seven birdies in the opening event of the 2014-15 European Tour season at the Gary Player Country Club and recorded a solitary bogey at the par-three 16th.