South African Richard Sterne hit a course record five-under par 67 to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.
Stern set the early pace at the Old Course after teeing off from the par-five 10th among the morning starters with a birdie on his first hole and another going into the turn, then picking up three more to sign a faultless card.
Should Stern's opening round still stand as the record at the close of the week, he would earn €8,600 through a new initiative on the DP World Tour in partnership with title sponsor Nexo.
Norwegian Andreas Halvorsen and South African Thomas Aiken – who set off together in the opening group – missed the chance to join Stern for a share of the lead, as both players bogeyed the last.
Louis Albertse, having starting on the back nine, also sits one shot behind his compatriot Sterne at four under in a three-way tie for second place.
England’s John Parry, Jordan Smith, Matthew Baldwin, Joe Dean and Alex Fitzpatrick – who was briefly in the lead during the afternoon – are all in the mix at three under.
Conor Purcell shot a 73, six shots off leader Sterne.
