Connor Syme admits being taken by surprise in posting a career low and an equal new course record 61 on day two of the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open.

Syme grabbed an eagle and seven birdies in a nine-under par score that was 10 strokes lower than his opening round for an eight-under 36-hole tally of the Meloneras course.

The effort is the Drumoig golfer’s lowest in 67 Tour events since a 62 on day two of the 2018 Scottish Open at Gullane.

Syme said: “The funny thing I didn’t know the course was a par-70 until yesterday in signing for a 71.

“I feel like I have been playing really well as was evident a few weeks ago in Kenya and while I missed the cut the next week, I played really, really well when I was at home and I don’t often have that level of intensity to shoot low scores.

“It’s why it’s come as a bit of shock as I didn’t see the 61 coming considering the way I have been playing.

“So, to shoot an opening 71 after three weeks off was not the score I was hoping for and it’s why it’s really nice to bounce back with a 71 and to be eight-under after two rounds is pretty solid golf with one high round and one really low one today”.

Dane Thorbjorn Olesen, and looking for a first Tour win in three years, matched Syme’s record-setting 61 to lead the field by a shot at 14-under par.

Scots Richie Ramsay (65) is at six-under and with Calum Hill (66) on the cut mark at five-under par.