JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Justin Harding came back from six weeks off golf and carded a three-under-par 67 to slip into second place in the first round of the Vodacom Origins of Golf event at Wild Coast Sun Country Club on Wednesday.

He trails Vaughn Groenewald by one stroke after a day characterised by strong winds on the 5,807-meter par-70 coastal layout.

Harding, who won the Vodacom Origins of Golf final at Oubaai last year for his maiden title, and took the Lombard Insurance Classic for his second Sunshine Tour title in June, slipped while climbing over a gate and caught his upper arm on a spike.

"I had eight stitches, and went through the whole emergency room thing," he said.

He was given the go-ahead to resume golf only last Friday.