Nicolas Colsaerts all but booked a debut appearance at the US Open Championship with a stunning round of 64 in the opening round of the Qualifier at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England.
The big-hitting Belgian notched ten birdies and an eagle three at the 581 yard 16th hole to put himself in pole position to claim one of the 11 places on offer for the second Major of the season at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, America, from June 16-19.
Colsaerts won his maiden European Tour title at the Volvo China Open last month and, barring a reversal of fortunes in the afternoon, can now look forward to a first Major appearance in America.
He said: “I had no idea what my score was until I’d signed for my card afterwards – I was just in the zone. I probably missed one or two birdie chances but finished really strongly, so if I can carry that into the afternoon, I should be fine – as long as I stay vigilant.”
On the tougher Old Course, Thomas Levet signed for a no-less-impressive round of 66 which included three birdies and an eagle on the four par fives.
The charismatic Frenchman, who finished in a tie for 18th place on his US Open Championship debut in 2002, said: “I played the par fives very well today, and it helped that they were playing downwind and the course is very firm, so they were all reachable. One down, one to go.”
Alex Noren credited a razor sharp short game for a round of 67 which gave the Swede an outstanding chance of making his first US Open Championship appearance.
In his first visit to the US Open Qualifier, Noren fired a five under par round over the New Course to go a long way towards booking his place in the field.
He said: “I chipped in for eagle and made a lot of good up and downs, so my short game was the key to my score. I thought I’d try my luck this year because I’m playing well and I feel my game is now good enough to compete in Majors in the States, and so far it’s looking like a good decision. But there’s still another round to go yet.”
Germany’s Michiel Siem, who holes two bunker shots, and Wales’ Jamie Donaldson are also on course to book their places after signing for rounds of 67 on the Old Course.
England’s Robert Dinwiddie, Irishman Shane Lowry and Australian Wade Ormsby were the only other players to break 70 on the Old Course.
A total of ten people broke 70 on the New Course including France’s Raphaël Jacquelin, whose round of 68 put him in sight of a second US Open Championship appearance, following his debut in 2009.
Romain Wattel, playing the same course as his compatriot Jacquelin, continued his fine season with an opening round of 69.
Wattel, who won as an amateur on the Challenge Tour last season before earning his European Tour card at the Qualifying School Final Stage, would be tasting Major Championship action for the first time if he can maintain his momentum over the Old Course in the afternoon, when the fog which caused a three-hour delay to the morning tee times has been replaced by persistent drizzle.
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