England’s David Horsey admitted he was ‘shocked’ to have posted a sizzling nine-under par 61 to equal the host course record on day one of the 2021 Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers.
Horsey grabbed nine birdies and muscle his way to a one shot lead and matching the mark of 61 set by Dustin Johnson on day two of the inaugural 2019 Saudi event.
David Horsey on route to a ‘shock’ course-record equalling 61 on the opening day of the 2021 Saudi International (Photo – European Tour/Getty)
The 45-year old Stockport golfer, and a four-time European Tour winner, said: “It’s a shock actually. I’ve been playing rubbish the last couple weeks. I didn’t feel like I controlled my ball the first two events. I had a conversation with a pal back home last night, talking a few things through and he suggested something that I work on away from the tournament.
“Knowing me, I thought, well, can’t get any worse, so I may as well try it and here we are.”
Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher (-8) sits second, one shot back after an impressive round of 62.
The effort is the now 46-year old’s lowest score in 1,823 rounds, over 584 European Tour events since a then 20-year-old made his Tour debut at the 1993 Scottish Open at Gleneagles.
Gallacher had previously posted a handful of 63s, including an opening 63 on route to victory in the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, but now the four-time winning Scot has gone one better albeit it on the stunning par-70 layout overlooking the Red Sea.
He said: “Yeah, it was good. It’s a course I was looking forward to coming back to. I just hit it really close to the pin. It’s probably the closest proximity I’ve ever had to the flag I think and then when I got it on a roll on the back nine I holed it to 25 foot at 8 and thought I could hole the one at the last. It was solid and gave myself plenty of chances and took them.”
Austrian golfing giant Bernd Wiesberger is two shots further back on six under par after signing for a 65, with U.S. Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau amongst a group on five under.
DeChambeau was finding the temperature to be just right in KAEC as golf’s ‘Mr. Scientific’ and reigning 2020 US Open winner commented, “This is about the right temperature. It’s just more my body isn’t feeling 100 per cent from the travel over. Once you start hitting it wayward my brain just kind of retracts to not wanting to swing as fast. I could hit it really far, hit it over 200, but it could go anywhere.”
Last weekend’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic champ Paul Casey who, unlike the leaders, played in the tougher windier conditions of the afternoon finished at -1.
Casey said: “Me and my playing partners, Bob and G-Mac, we genuinely struggled. We found it very difficult. It’s a great golf course. It’s a hell of a test. But I’m just happy to get through under par.”
