England’s David Horsey galloped into an early lead at the European Tour’s star-studded Saudi International after shooting a stunning nine-under par 61.
On a day of extremely low scoring at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, Horsey’s impressive total was still only good enough for a one-shot lead, with Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher racing round in 62.
Horsey, currently ranked 282nd in the world, missed the cut in his first two events of 2021, but he left that form behind after carding nine birdies – seven of which came in a spectacular inward 28.
“I’m pretty shocked,” was Horsey’s initial reaction after coming off the course. “I’ve been playing rubbish the last couple weeks. I had a conversation with a pal back home last night and he suggested something that I work on away from the tournament. Knowing me, I thought, well, can’t get any worse, so I may as well try it and here we are. It’s really just how my body is moving – quite sort of technical really. It’s nice to have a feel you can wake up and pick up straight away. I didn’t really feel like I missed many shots. I holed a couple of lengthy putts as well, and it all adds up to a 61.”
Gallacher has also endured difficult period – he finished 173rd on the money list in 2020 – but is hoping today’s round, which include five birdies in the last six holes, will mark a turnaround in his fortunes.
“It’s been good to just draw a line in the sand for 2020,” he said. “With everything that happened: the pandemic, my dad, losing friends, it was just one of those terrible years. I couldn’t wait for 2021 to come really and get back to a bit of normal – back playing and back enjoying it. I worked hard in the winter in the gym and on my practice net in the house, and came out early and showed a bit of form, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the season now.”
Further down the leaderboard, Bernd Wiesberger is three off the pace in third after a blemish-free 64, while Bryson DeChambeau, one of bookies favourite, sits in the large group on five under after making the most of the calmer scoring conditions for the morning groups. World no.1 Dustin Johnson is on three under alongside Lee Westwood and Tyrrell Hatton, while Phil Mickelson, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose all posted opening 68s.