Day one digest: 2021 ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management

Everything you need to know from day one in Northern Ireland.

Jordan jumped ahead, the ladies had a logjam, Matthias and David played the generation game and Amy made a memory to last a lifetime on day one of the 2021 ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday in Co Antrim.

Smith makes a mad dash for home

When Jordan Smith turned in one under, he was making nice progress. When he came home in 29, he had signed for a 62, moved to eight under and established a two shot lead. The Englishman made seven birdies on the back nine and revealed he was not surprised by his fine form despite having recorded just one top ten so far on the 2021 Race to Dubai. "I've felt like it's been sort of trending in the right way," he said. "It just hasn't all come together at the right point. "My putting has even been good and my iron play has been good, it's been one or the other, but today it sort of all came together, and more of the same."

Age is just a number

Matthias Schmid is 23 years old and playing in just his second European Tour event which is also his second event as a professional. David Drysdale is twice his age and making European Tour appearance number 531. But their numbers matched up on the leaderboard as they both fired rounds of 64 to sit two shots off the lead. "I know I'm a good player, so I think I can keep up with these guys out here if I play well," said Schmidt. "I hope I can show that a few more times. I've been dreaming to do this for a long time. Yeah, second event, I'm enjoying it a lot. It's great."

Triple threat at the top

The players from the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour are also teeing it up at Glagorm Castle and Massereene Golf Clubs and there was a three way tie at the top after round one. South Korean Chella Choi, Scot Gemma Dryburgh and American Jennifer Kupcho were at seven under having all played Galgorm Castle. Dryburgh produced maybe the round of the day with an eagle and five birdies in a bogey free effort. "I've kind of had to stay patient and I knew a round like this was coming so it was good to see it come out today," she said. "It's really cool actually to see the guys in front of us and behind us. It's nice to see an innovative event like that." Choi was also a fan of the format, adding: "It's my first time with men and women, so I played with two guys in my practice round, it's very fun. I feel like (there's) no tournament I ever enjoyed like here."

Amy gets us under way

Amy Bockerstette has already been setting the golfing world alight and on Thursday she had the honour of hitting the opening tee shot. The 22-year-old blazed a trail as she became the first person with Down Syndrome to play in a national collegiate championship in the United States and she became an internet sensation when she parred the famous 16th alongside Gary Woodland at TPC Scottsdale in 2019. This week she has been invited to Northern Ireland and after meeting and playing with her favourite popstar Niall Horan in the pro-am, the former One Direction singer accompanied her to the first tee for her big moment. "I loved it," she said. "I loved hitting my first tee shot at the opening. I had so much fun. Also Niall was proud of me. It was fun." Horan added: "It was great to meet Amy finally having tried to make it happen prior to the pandemic. I respect her so much and think she will continue to inspire so many people to get into the game. She is such a credit to her whole family. A very special young lady."

In the driving seat

The par four second at Galgorm Castle is definitely driveable. But to 12 feet? Behave Andy Sullivan.