Antoine Rozner equalled his lowest career 18-hole score on Thursday as he began the Korea Championship with a spotless 63 to open up a commanding four-shot lead.
The Frenchman started from the 10th tee in the morning and fired six birdies on his front nine before picking up three more shots after the turn to get to nine under par.
None of the afternoon starters were able to get close to three-time DP World Tour winner Rozner at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, with home favourite Park Sanghyun and England’s Andy Sullivan his nearest challengers on five under.
South Korean Lee Hyungjoon was among those another shot further back in a tie for fourth, alongside Yannik Paul, Alexander Knappe, Pablo Larrazábal and Alexander Björk.
South Africa’s Deon Germishuys is on three under (T9) after a 69 that included five birdies and two bogies.
After opening his round with a par on the 10th, Rozner made back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th before reeling off a hat-trick of gains on the 14th, 15th and 16th.
The 30-year-old then finished his front nine with another birdie at the 18th to turn in 30.
He kept the momentum going on his back nine, following up birdies on the 1st and 3rd with a curling birdie putt at the 6th to reach nine under.
Three closing pars then kept Rozner’s card clean as he continued his fine form, which has seen him record one victory and three other top-10 finishes so far in the 2023 season.
– Edited report from DP World Tour website
