Otto in front in China
Hennie Otto was superb on the opening day of the Volvo China Open, earning a two stroke lead.
The South African carded a scintillating nine-under 63 at the Topwin Golf and Country Club in Beijing, which is hosting its first ever European Tour event.
His flawless round included seven birdies and an eagle on the par five eighth as Otto took advantage of the soft greens and calm conditions.
"I played really well today," the 39-year-old told europeantour.com
"The first hole I saved a good par and I think that gave me momentum. After that I hit it really close. I broke 30 putts this week.
"You have to hit it in the right places and that's the thing I did today. I hit them close, that makes a big difference. I've worked hard on my putting.
"It's a nice golf course. The greens are not what we're used to but we've got a few courses in South Africa with the same type of grass and the slopes so we adapt quickly.
"I've been playing well, I haven't been putting well. I've been working hard on it and today it showed."
Otto, who is searching for his first wins since 2014, is two strokes ahead of Austria's Bernd Wiesberger, with a host of players on six under, three shots off the pace.
One of the highlights of the day was Rikard Karlberg's ace on the 16th, which earns the Swede a brand new Volvo XC90.
Latest
-
PGA ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick: Falling short at US PGA Championship ‘hurts a hell of a lot’
Fitzpatrick carded a closing three-over-par 73 to miss out on the play-off between eventual winner Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris by two shots.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Thomas pays tribute to caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay after his US PGA victory
Phil Mickelson’s former bagman gave Thomas a crucial pep talk after he shot 74 on Saturday.
-
PGA ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood confident he is ‘coming out the other side’ after dip in form
Fleetwood finished in a tie for fifth at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA ChampionshipEmotional Justin Thomas credits his experience for US PGA victory
Thomas also won the 2017 US PGA at Quail Hollow.
-
PGA ChampionshipJustin Thomas eclipses Will Zalatoris in play-off to claim second US PGA title
The former world number one’s victory equalled the biggest comeback in US PGA history.
-
PGA ChampionshipRory McIlroy’s Sunday charge at US PGA Championship ends in disappointment
McIlroy’s closing 68 in Tulsa was followed by him declining to speak to waiting reporters.
-
PGA ChampionshipPaul McGinley says Tiger Woods deserves better than to be a ‘ceremonial golfer’
The 46-year-old withdrew from a major championship for the first time in his professional career at Southern Hills.
-
PGA ChampionshipMito Pereira with three-shot lead at US PGA as Tiger Woods withdraws
It is the first time in his career that Woods has withdrawn from a major.
-
PGA ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick relishing chance at securing first major title
A third round of 67 means Fitzpatrick trails leader Mito Pereira by three shots at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA ChampionshipTiger Woods withdraws from US PGA following his worst round at event
The American made the halfway cut with a shot to spare at Southern Hills, but struggled to a nine-over-par 79 in the third round.