Thorbjørn Olesen sent records tumbling as he posted the lowest round of his European Tour career on the final day of the BMW International Open.
As well as posting that personal milestone at Golf Club Gut Laerchenhof, the Dane's 61 also broke the record for the lowest round in BMW International Open history, beating the 62 that had been posted nine times previously.
His 11 under par total - 16 shots better than his score on Saturday - was the lowest score to par of the 2018 campaign and also matched Shubhankar Sharma with the lowest round of the season so far.
The 28 year old had already completed his day's work before the final group teed off and he still led when they were on the back nine, although Matt Wallace's birdie on the 16th eventually saw his nine under par total overtaken.
“I felt like the first few days I played really great, especially the second day,” he said. “I was striking the ball fantastic and gave myself so many chances.
“I had a bad day yesterday. I had a bad hole at the start and obviously that was very disappointing because I felt like I was playing so good.
“I was just trying today to go out there and build on my game, see if I could shoot a low score and get ready for next week. Obviously as the round progressed I kept on thinking birdies and trying to make the round better. Finishing with four birdies was pretty nice.”
The Italian Open champion birdied the second, made an eagle on the par five third and then birdied the ninth to turn in 32 but he truly came to life on the back nine, making seven birdies to come home in 29.
He birdied the tenth and 11th and then got on the greens at the par five 13th and 15th in two to make two further gains and move past the leaders.
As the round progressed I kept on thinking birdies and trying to make the round better. Finishing with four birdies was pretty nice - Thorbjørn Olesen
The five-time European Tour winner then put his tee-shot to ten feet on the par three 16th, his approach to tap-in range on the next and hit a stunning approach to the last for a four-birdie finish.
Playing partner Justin Walters posted a 64 with the pair recording a combined total of 19 under and Olesen believes the duo spurred each other on after going out in just the 13th group of the day.
“Justin played great today, he really did,” he said. “He was just playing nicely tee to green and holing some good putts. I think both of us had a lot of fun today. We were just trying to build and make birdies. We didn't try to protect the score, we were aggressive because we obviously started the day so far behind. It was a really fun day for both of us.
“I think we had a little battle - but a nice battle - between us. I think both of us wanted to shoot a good score and the best for both of us. We were having fun and it was a lot of fun seeing putts rolling in from a lot of places and good shots.”
