Finland’s Sami Valimaki deposited a sizzling new course record 10-under-par 62 to the lead the field by two shots on the opening day of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.
The effort handed Valimaki a two-shot two lead on the Mont Choisy course located some 15 miles to the north of the capital, Port Louis.
It’s the first time the course is being used for a first time in the now six-year history of the event.
The world No. 323 ranked Fin capped his round when he birdied four holes in succession from the fifth and then also four in-a-row from the 12th hole to end the day two clear of playing partner, Oliver Becker of South Africa who produced a superb eight-under 64,
COURSE RECORD 10-under 6⃣2⃣ for 🇫🇮 @SamiValimaki @CallawayGolf @CallawayGolfEU @CallawayTour @unibet @OJ_Golf 💪👏
Day one #AfrAsiaBankMauritiusOpen @DPWorldTour @Sunshine_Tour #ABMO2022#MontChoisyLeGolf
✅ @TOURMISS @IrishGolferMag pic.twitter.com/PF5B3mInao
— ⛳️TOURMISS ⛳️ (@TOURMISS) December 15, 2022
Välimäki was out in 31 with a birdie at the second and a run of four in a row from the fifth, helped by marvellous long putts on the undulating fifth and sixth greens and one from the fringe of the eighth.
The Finn hit a lovely pitch up to the 12th green to set up a short-range birdie and a fine up and down from a greenside bunker at the next and also made it four birdies in a row when he also birdied 14 and 15 ahead of a closing birdie at the last.
“It was a really nice round,” Valimaki said. “I putted of course really good, made some longer ones – I haven’t made them the last couple of weeks, so it’s nice to get it rolling.
“Oli (Oliver Becker) played a really good round as well, so we enjoyed the day. I feel like I found the rhythm and the speed for the greens and that was the key to the day.
“Just keep grinding, hitting good shots and just give those opportunities. I still hit the ball really well so just keep making those ones.”
