Clement Sordet matched the lowest opening round of the season with a stunning 62 to take the lead after day one of the Nordea Masters at Hills Golf Club.
The Frenchman’s bogey-free effort was the lowest round of his European Tour career, eclipsing the 64 he fired en route to his top 10 at the season-opening UBS Hong Kong Open, and beating the 63 he shot as an amateur at the 2014 Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge on the Challenge Tour.
The eight-under-par circuit handed Sordet a two-shot lead over Scotland’s Scott Jamieson and Englishman Lee Slattery.
Thomas Aiken was the best of the five South Africans on Thursday, opening with a 66 that included five birdies and a single bogey. Christiaan Bezuidenhout carded an adventurous 68, which included a back nine 36 with four birdies, two bogeys and a double to start his way into the clubhouse.
One further back was Jacques Kruyswijk with Justin Walters level through 18.
Haydn Porteous’ struggles continued as he signed for a 72. The 24-year-old finds himself some way of the pace as he looks to avoid a fourth missed cut in his last five events.
