The Swede shot an incredible 21 under par to win the event by nine strokes last year, using his driver only twice over the 72 holes. "I still feel a lot of holes will require the 3-wood," he told journalists after the pro-am competition.

"I was very accurate off the tee last year. The rough is down [this time] - but depending on the wind, it can swirl - I expect the scoring to be better."

But he quickly pointed out that he didn't necessarily expect himself to shoot lower. "I played great last year, regardless of the conditions."

Stenson accidentally broke his 3-wood during the final round last year. Asked if he had brought a replacement this time, he smiled: "I actually did."

Stenson was one of three players who failed to return scores after yesterday's pro-am, the others being compatriot Robert Karlsson and South African Retief Goosen.

The best recorded score of the day was 66, achieved by American Hunter Mahan and Briton Ross Fisher. Richard Sterne and Robert Allenby, the first pair off today at 11.10am, finished on 68. One shot behind were US Masters champion Angel Cabrera and Northern Ireland's young star, Rory McIlroy.

Nick Watney (US) carded 71, Luke Donald 72 and Tim Clark 79.

Stenson has arrived in good form after finishing strongly at the World Cup in China, where he narrowly missed a long-range putt on the final hole, which cost his team the chance of a play-off.

"It was a little bit heart-breaking," he admitted, explaining that his putter had been cold throughout the final day.

"I thought 'finally I get one' and it spins out."

Stenson is in the final pairing today, teeing off at 12.10pm with Donald, who believes the shorter rough will benefit the longer hitters.

"I'd probably prefer a bit more rough because the longer hitters can go after it," said the Englishman, who relies more on accuracy.

The Kikuyu rough, instead of sitting menacingly alongside the fairways of the Gary Player Country Club layout, increases in thickness the further one veers off the fairway.

The rough around the bunkers has also been shortened.

Sterne, who qualified for this $4.38-million tournament by winning the Sunshine Tour's order of merit, was hoping to take advantage of the shorter rough, but warned that this course was a dangerous one to go awry on: "This course can eat you up."

Sterne had a great season last year, winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship and then the SA Open in consecutive weeks.

"I'm pretty much in the same place I was a year ago. You learn, more experienced. I'm feeling better physically and mentally."