Tapio Pulkkanen. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Tapio Pulkkanen was flawless during first-round play at the Volvo China Open on Thursday, with the Finnish veteran carding a scorching nine-under 62 for a three-stroke lead at the national championship.
Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra was second after carding a 65 at Shanghai's Enhance Anting Golf Club, two shots ahead of China's Bai Zhengkai, New Zealander Kazuma Kobori, American Jordan Gumberg, and Australians Jason Skrivener and Elvis Smylie on 67.
Xiamen native Wu Ashun was a shot back in a group of six players at a three-under 68.
China Number 1 Li Haotong opened with a two-under 69 to sit seven shots off the pace in a group of 12 players that included Shen Wang-ngai, the top amateur from Hong Kong, China.
Adrian Otaegui, the defending champion, shot a one-over 72 at the $2.55-million tournament that is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Thirteen players were left out in the field when play was called for darkness and will complete their first round early on Friday.
Wu Ashun. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The tournament is the penultimate leg of the DP World Tour's four-tournament Asian Swing, where the top three players after next week's Hainan Classic will receive a spot in the field for next month's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. The tournament is co-sponsored with the China Tour.
The 34-year-old Pulkkanen, who is winless on the DP World Tour, started his early morning round in calm conditions on the back nine and quickly got to work with a birdie at his second hole, the 368-yard 11th hole. After making the turn at a four-under 32, he posted three more birdies and a hole-out eagle two at the 348-yard fourth hole, his 14th hole.
"Great start for the tournament. The putter was really hot today. I think I missed one putt inside 15 feet, so lots of good putts and solid from tee to green, so good score," he said.
"I am going to keep doing the same [tomorrow]. There are some pins where you can't really go. There's some water danger kind of looking for you, so you need to be patient here and hit good wedge shots."
Chacarra, who last month won the Hero Indian Open for his first DP World Tour title, carded seven birdies and a lone bogey at the 469-yard 13th hole, his fourth hole, after also starting on the back nine.
"I knew my game was there. It was overall solid. I hit the ball well and made some putts, so happy with the start," said the Madrid native. "I am happy that I took advantage of the morning tee time. So, hopefully, I can get some good rest, do some work, and hopefully I can play good tomorrow too."
Bai Zhengkai. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Guangdong native Bai, who is ranked 1,083 in the world, roared into contention with three straight birdies to finish after starting his round on the back nine.
"I'm quite satisfied with today's score, especially given the noticeably stronger winds this afternoon," he said. "Tomorrow is an early tee time and I plan to stick to my strategy. This course is challenging, so patience is key. I'll take it shot by shot."
Wu, the 2015 Volvo China Open champion, said coming to Shanghai felt like a homecoming because it was there he won his first European Tour title. The veteran opened with a round featuring four birdies and a lone bogey after starting on the back nine.
"I'm playing relaxed without too many expectations," he said. "Since last year, I've been dealing with tennis elbow, which has affected my swing a bit. There's still some pain on the downswing, so I'm a little cautious. But I'm keeping a good mindset, not putting pressure on myself, just focusing on recovery and playing freely, like I did today."
