Tom McKibbin produced a flawless 64 in the first round of the Singapore Classic to lead the way by one shot.
The European Challenge Tour graduate, who started from the 10th tee on Thursday morning, carded three birdies on his front nine before coming home in 30 to reach eight under par.
The 20-year-old’s back nine featured a hat-trick of gains from the 2nd and ended with a monster birdie putt from the fringe at the 9th.
McKibbin, who hails from the same part of Northern Ireland as world No 1 Rory McIlroy, briefly had company at the top of the leaderboard, but Matthieu Pavon and Sami Välimäki both dropped a shot late in their first rounds to slip back to seven under.
Frenchman Pavon and Finn Välimäki were alongside Swedes Joakim Lagergren and Simon Forsström in a four-way tie for second after 18 holes.
Chinese amateur Ding Wenyi, 18, sat another shot back after his 66, along with Englishmen Paul Waring and Nathan Kimsey.
– Report from DP World Tour website
