Finland's Tapio Pulkkanen produced a flawless opening round of 62 to set a new course record and earn a three-shot lead at the Volvo China Open, with Ireland's Conor Purcell carding a 72.
Purcell, who earned his DP World Tour card last year, bogeyed the second at the Shanghai GC but responded with consecutive birdies. However, the Dubliner gave one back at the sixth and despite picking up a shot on the tenth, bogeys followed on 14 and 18. He finished at one over.
Pulkkanen, 34, is still awaiting his maiden title on what is his 170th DP World Tour appearance, and he made a perfect start in his bid of breaking his duck at Enhance Anting Golf Club with a blemish-free nine-under-par.
Pulkkanen rolled in seven birdies and holed out for an eagle at the par-four fourth to sit at the summit, three shots clear of Spain's Eugenio Chacarra.
"A great start," the Finn said. "My putter was really hot, I think I missed just one putt inside 15 feet. A lot of good putts and solid tee to green. It was a good score.
"I think I was a bit lucky with a couple of putts as well, they went in on the edge of the hole. A solid wedge game, a lot of wedges inside six feet, so I was able to make easy birdies as well.
"I hit my five iron off the tee (on the fourth), one or two clubs too much, and I was quite close to the pin. I tried to hit a low wedge shot to jump forward and it did exactly what I tried, so it was perfect.
"I did some good work back home in Finland, although it was snowing a couple of days. My iron game was good. Overall, everything was awesome."
Australia duo Jason Scrivener and Elvis Smylie, American Jordan Gumberg, New Zealand's Kazuma Kobori and China's Bai Zheng-kai are in a tie for third at four under, while English pair Matthew Jordan and Jordan Smith are among six players - including home favourite Wu Ashun - at three under.
