South African Hennie Otto shot a fine nine-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead at the Volvo China Open today.
Otto, a three-time winner on the European Tour, made an eagle and seven birdies at Topwin Golf and Country Club.
His brilliant performance was just his second round in the 60s this season and handed him a two-shot lead over Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger.
The prestigious tournament is jointly sanctioned by OneAsia and the European Tour. It is the season-opening event on OneAsia.
“I played really well today,” Otto said. “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.”
The highlight of Otto’s round was a chip-in for eagle on the eighth – his 17th hole.
“I knew if I just hit it on the right-hand side you’ve got an easy chip up the slope,” said the 39-year-old. “When I got there I just saw the line and made sure, trying to pitch it and it ran in.”
Wiesberger turned in 33 and a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th saw him threaten to catch Otto before a bogey on the 14th stalled momentum. He bounced back well, though, with birdies on the 15th and the last.
Frenchman Grégory Bourdy, Swede Peter Hanson, Finland’s Roope Kakko and Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti all came in with 66s.
Yuan Tian is the leading Chinese golfer after a 68.
For full scores please visit: http://www.oneasia.asia/
