'Cobra' Kamte relishing life after switch from football

South Africa's James Kamte drives the ball on the fifth hole during the third round of the Astro Indonesia Open at the Cengkareng Golf Club in Jakarta February 16, 2008.

GURGAON, India (Reuters) - South Africa's James Kamte was enjoying a solid start to his rookie European Tour season after he shot a four-under 68 to be tied for third on the first day of the Johnnie Walker Classic on Thursday.

The 25-year-old is the first black South African player for over 20 years to earn full playing rights in Europe, vindicating his decision to switch sports from football to golf as a teenager.

"I just tried to do well with every shot I hit," Kamte said after his round played in ideal conditions. "I hit a lot of greens."

He was in an 11-player group headed by Australian world number five Adam Scott, who were one shot off the lead at the DLF Golf and Country Club course.

Kamte arrived in good form after a tie for third in this month's co-sanctioned Indonesian Open.

The stocky Kamte, nicknamed 'Cobra' from his days as a young and speedy striker, signed off with an eagle three on the ninth, his last hole.

The Johannesburg-based player said his love for individual sports, and more importantly, financial support from the foundation set up by fellow South African Ernie Els, helped him take up golf game seriously.

"It was a tough decision but in the end it was easy as I had more back-up on the golf side than in soccer," he told reporters. "Regrets? Not now. I'm delighted I chose to play golf."

Kamte played in the local amateur league in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province until he was about 18 years old.

"I sort of like individual games," he said. "That's one of the reasons that inspired me to play. I'm quite a positive person and I like competition.

"I played like four times a year, which was not really playing golf," he said. "But thanks to help from...the Els Foundation in late '99, I had the privilege to play week-in, week-out in the amateur ranks."

He played in South Africa's domestic Sunshine Tour, where he recorded wins in September and January, as well as the European Challenge tour.

Although he has quit soccer, he wants to keep the nickname.

"The guys used to call me cobra because I was so quick and used to strike a lot," he said. "I thought I would lose it when I moved over to golf, but I'll take it."

(Editing by Miles Evans)