Scot Calum Hill was in sizzling in posting a DP World Tour career low 61 on day two of Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.

Hill headed into day two of the event trailing two shots adrift of the lead but soon made his presence felt in his 140th Tour start when he birdied three holes in succession from the fourth hole on the Colin Montgomerie designed Royal GC course.

The 31-year-old reigning Joburg Open champ birdied the ninth and 10th holes for a second day running before moving to eight-under for his round with birdies at 13 and 14 ahead of ending with a hat-trick of birdies, including draining a five-footer at the last.

Hill proudly headed to lunch equalling the course record with his 61 while his 16-under tally was eight shots ahead of his nearest clubhouse rival in Dutchman Joost Luiten, who signed for a 65 to be at eight-under.

“Today was really good, starting off really well and then I had a few bonus putts from really long range over the last few holes that went in, so it was nice,” said Hill.

“Obviously, this round ranks very high up.  It’s my best round in competitive golf and tournament golf.  I haven’t kept track of what I’ve shot in practice, so that’s up there with one of the best rounds I’ve played.

“I knew the course record was 11-under, so I also knew in playing my last shot it was very good in the air, so it was nice to finish off with a birdie. So, very happy”.

Hill’s 61 is a shot less than his previous career low of a final round 62 to win last March in the South African capital, and he was asked, knowing 61 was the Bahrain course record, what were his thoughts on the final tee.

“I just wanted to keep my tee shot on land, given there’s water all down the right side”, he said smiling.

“It’s not the nicest final hole and while I played the shot strategically shorter, hitting a 5-iron that was down the middle and then a 9-iron into the green.”