Spain's Eugenio Chacarra and South African Christiaan Burke have carded record nine under-par 63s in a low-scoring opening round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Royal Johannesburg.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
But though only one Aussie golfer made the long haul to the latest European tour event from Royal Melbourne following last week's Australian Open, Austin Bautista flew the flag well enough on Thursday's opening day to shoot a three-under 69.
The 25-year-old Chacarra hit every green in regulation as he carded eight birdies, an eagle and dropped a single shot with a three-putt on the 15th to set a record for the course.
He was later joined by Burke, who carded 10 birdies and an eagle but also had three dropped shots in a whirlwind round as the pair lead by one shot from South Africans Thriston Lawrence and Brandon Stone.
"The course is very wet after all the rain they've had, but a softer course can make golf a bit easier as you can attack the pins, and I did that today," said Chacarra, who won the Indian Open on the European Tour in March.
The 28-year-old New South Welshman Bautista, who finished tied for 51st at the Australian Open, finished his round with the flourish of an eagle to lie in joint-40th amid the glut of low-scoring.
Australian Associated Press
