Day one digest: 2022 Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa

Everything you need to know from day one at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Daniel dived lower then ever before, Johannes was the daddy and chip-ins were the order of the day in round one of the 2022 Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday in Nairobi.

Gavins goes low to lead the way

Daniel Gavins carded the lowest round of his DP World Tour career to open up a one-shot lead. The Englishman was over par after five holes but he made six birdies in seven from the 16th and added two more for a 64 that left him at seven under. India's Shubhankar Sharma and American Johannes Veerman were a shot off the lead, one ahead of Scot Ewen Ferguson and England's Lee Slattery. “It was pretty rusty to start with, I hadn’t played for a couple of weeks but I just started holing a few putts," said Gavins. “My swing has been a bit off at the start of the year and I’ve been struggling a little bit with finding the feeling but today I felt a few things that were nice and it was positive, really."

Little man helps Veerman be the man

Veerman was loving life on and off the course as the new father carded an opening 65. The American announced in late January that he and his wife Angela had welcomed son Hans into the world but the work of caring for a newborn does not appear to have had any ill effects on Veerman's game. “My little man is really good," he said of Hans. "My days have to be so much more structured now, not only does he need me but I also want to be with him. I have a new son and it’s just amazing.”

Making the most of a bad break

Gavins had a share of the lead and everything was looking good when he left himself a pitch into the ninth - his final hole. He hit a beautiful shot but saw it hit the pin and roll a good 50 feet away, leaving plenty of work to be done to save par and keep himself at six under. He went one better, rolling in a monster putt for a birdie and the solo lead.

Life on the wedge

They were chipping in from everywhere!

Dialled-in

These guys are pretty good from further out as well.