Springbok golfer Jaco Van Zyl was all alone in First Class after posting a new course 11-under par 61 on the first day of the Turkish Airlines Open at Belek.

Van Zyl carved a stroke off the old Montgomerie course low and with the Johannesburg born golfer also setting a new European Tour personal low by three strokes.

It put the hang-gliding and micro flights enthusiast three shots clear of the field competing in the $US 7m event, and the opening tournament in the Final Four Series.

“I played really nicely and honestly I thought four under par around here was a good score,” he said. I got it going early in the round and just kept it going. It was really good fun,” said Van Zyl as he strives to capture a first Race to Dubai success.

Jaco Van Zyl (RSA) sets a a new course record of an 11-under par 61 on the first day of the Turkish Airlines Open. (Picture: www,golffileie | David Lloyd)

“I’ve had lower scores but obviously not on a calibre golf course like this. I would say this is definitely up there.

“Obviously starting out on The European Tour a couple of years ago, you always wonder if you belong. Working your way up and being a part of one of these events, it’s really good.”

He added: “I’ve been hitting it really nicely for months now. Been really struggling on the short game, putting in particular. I put a little bit more effort and time into it this week, and I think I’ve found the one.”

Van Zyl was granted a medical exemption to contest this year’s 2015 Race to Dubai after undergoing surgery on his knee in 2014 . He has won 13 Sunshine Tour titles and was close to adding a European Tour title after finishing runner-up to Andy Sullivan at the recent Joburg Open

•  See this early 2015 season piece on Jaco Van Zyl

England’s Lee Westwood is in second place after a round of an eight under par 64.

Rory McIlroy is six shots off the lead and in a group at five under after a bogey free effort as he aims to finish as Europe’s Number One for a third time.

The Northern Irishman got off to a solid start with a chip-in from the fringe of the green on the 11th for birdie to get him to one under.

Seven pars in a row then followed to turn in 36 but the 26 year old required a brilliant save on the 18th. His drive was well left and ended up by a tree with the World Number Three playing out left handed before putting his third shot just short of the green. His chip then ended up ten feet short but a nerveless putt avoided a bogey.

Birdies on the first, third, fourth and seventh followed to complete a tidy 67.

Kiradech Aphibarnrat, searching for a third win of the season, was also six shots off the lead alongside Richard Bland, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Julien Quesne, Bernd Wiesberger and Fabrizio Zanotti.

Dane Lucas Bjerregaard, who has four top tens in his last six starts, signed for a 68 alongside Shane Lowry who finished bogey-bogey to slip back after an excellent opening 16 holes.

Also at four under par is Thomas Aiken, Jacquelin, Lee Slattery and Peter Uihlein were also on four under in a congested chasing pack.

Danny Willett, McIlroy’s nearest challenger in the Race to Dubai, signed for a 69 to sit in a large group at three under which contained 11 players.

Ian Poulter was in that group with a damaging triple bogey on the par three fifth while Tyrrell Hatton recorded an eagle, six birdies, three bogeys and a closing double in his remarkable round.