Tapio Pulkkanen produced a stunning round of 62 to set a new course record and surge into a three-shot lead at the Volvo China Open.
The Finn, who is still awaiting his maiden DP World Tour title, lost his playing privileges in 2023 but returned to form by finishing 19th in the Road to Mallorca last year.
The 34-year-old equalled his best performance of the 2025 campaign with a tie for 13th at the Hero Indian Open last month, and he improved further with a flawless display at Enhance Anting Golf Club to sit at nine under.
Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra – a first-time winner on the DP World Tour on just his ninth apppearance in New Delhi – is in contention once again after a six-under 65 to be Pulkkanen’s closest rival.
“A great start,” the Finn said. “My putter was really hot, I think I missed just one putt inside 15 feet. A lot of good putts and solid tee to green. It was a good score.
“I think I was a bit lucky with a couple of putts as well, they went in on the edge of the hole. A solid wedge game, a lot of wedges inside six feet, so I was able to make easy birdies as well.
“I hit my five iron off the tee [on the 4th], one or two clubs too much, and I was quite close to the pin. I tried to hit a low wedge shot to jump forward and it did exactly what I tried, so it was perfect.
“I did some good work back home in Finland, although it was snowing a couple of days. My iron game was good. Overall, everything was awesome.”
Starting on the back nine, Pulkkanen got into the red numbers with a birdie at the 11th before adding another at the 14th.
