Charl Schwartzel and Jason Dufner have both bemoaned inconsistent first rounds as they struggled with the wind at the Perth International. After Michael Hendry of New Zealand and Spain&aposs Alejandro Canizares took advantage of calm conditions in the early session at Lake Karrinyup Country Club to shoot seven-under 65s and share the lead, Schwartzel made it clear his opening round of one under was severely affected by the wind. Having started on the back nine, the South African began brilliantly with birdies on the 11th, 13th and 14th holes but struggled after that with three bogeys in his 71. “I found it very difficult to judge the wind on this golf course,” Schwartzel said after Thursday&aposs round. “It feels very inconsistent, so it was hard to pull clubs. “(On the 16th hole) I made a bogey feeling like I haven&apost hit a bad shot and it sort of felt like it broke the momentum. “I just didn&apost get it going on (the front) nine. “When I finally made a birdie on number seven, I gave it back on nine, I was thinking birdie on (the par four ninth hole) and end up walking off with a five.” Dufner also started on the 10th hole, one group after Schwartzel, and notched consecutive birdies to start his campaign at the European Tour event. But each time the 35-year-old American strung birdies together he dropped shots to fall back to the pack. “Just couldn&apost make the par saves that I needed to,” Dufner said. “I played the tougher holes, 16, 18, four through six, pretty poorly, and didn&apost get the pars you need to glue the round together. “Missed a couple birdies inside of the green on 15 feet and a couple bad breaks and that&aposs the difference between a round that&aposs up toward the lead and one that&aposs kind of in the middle.” Dufner and Schwartzel both scored 71s and are part of a 24-man group tied for 30th, six shots off the leaders, although neither seem too concerned. “Got a long way to go to get back up towards the lead but good thing there&aposs three days left and work from there and try to get there close by Sunday,” Dufner said. “I&aposm not out of it whatsoever,” Schwartzel said. “Like I said, I feel like I&aposm playing good enough to make a good score. “You know, seven, eight under is out there but we&aposll just see what happens.”