South African George Coetzee superbly set about making amends in letting slip victory five days ago to seize a share of the lead with a seven-under par 63 on day one of the British Masters at Close House in Newcastle.
Coetzee, 31 capped his round sandwiching a sixth hole eagle ‘3’ in between six birdies and just one bogey before being joined atop of the board by England’s Tyrrell Hatton.
Coetzee’s effort is his lowest Tour score in over five years since a similar 63 on day three of the 2012 SA Open and on route to finishing second.
The 25-year old Hatton birdied five of his closing seven holes and in his first event since posting an opening 64 and then finish third at the recent European Masters.
However, both 63s will not be recognised as a ‘tournament’ course record as a ‘preferred lie’ was in effect due to heavy overnight rain.
George Coetzee shares lead day one 2017 British Masters (Photo – European Tour)
“I am happy with the score and despite a couple of niggles actually while I was playing that weren’t that good, but had the opportunities when they came, and we were able to post a pretty good number,” Coetzee said.
“So, I enjoyed the day. I quite enjoyed it. It’s obviously quite hilly, quite a tough walk, but I enjoy playing it.”
A week ago, Coetzee went into the final round of the Portugal Masters trailing by one shot and was just one stroke from the lead in playing the last hole only to send his drive into water on route to taking a treble-bogey ‘7’ and end in a share of seventh at Vilamoura.
Hatton’s score is timely given he will defend next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland and his maiden Tour triumph thanks to weekend scores of 62 and 66.
“It was a really good day as I played lovely out there and gave myself plenty of chances, and managed to convert a few at the end,” said Hatton.
“Hopefully I can keep the form going with my swing and post another good number tomorrow”.
Five players – Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, England’s Chris Hanson, Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg and the Finnish duo of Mikko Illonen and Millo Korhoren – share third place in signing for six-under par 64s.
Rory McIlroy, and returning to the event where his made his pro debut a decade ago, birdied two of his closing four holes in a three-under par 67.
“The course was very soft and receptive,” he said. “I felt like I played solid enough. I didn’t do anything great but I didn’t do anything really bad either. Probably a fair reflection of how the day went.”
Tournament host Lee Westwood didn’t drop a shot to be well-placed with a four-under 66 and a score shared past Ryder Cup colleagues Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter.
