Bryce Easton and Niklas Lemke both carded the lowest rounds of their European Tour careers at the 2021 Mallorca Golf Open as they look for a big finish to the Race to Dubai.
The top 123 on the Race to Dubai Rankings in Partnership with Rolex after the AVIV Dubai Championship will secure their playing privileges for 2022 but both Easton and Lemke are on the outside looking in with three events remaining to gain points.
The South African had two top tens in his first five events but has split his time between the European and Challenge Tours and arrived at Golf Santa Ponsa 195th in the Rankings.
A chip-in on the 13th ignited his opening round and he shared the lead before making his only bogey of the day on the eighth in a 63.
"It's the same every week, you're always trying to stay patient, stick to your routines and process," he said.
"Some guys will make a lot of putts and you've got to get the feeling that a few guys will get a bit frustrated on the greens. So you've got to keep hanging in there, give yourself as many looks as you can and hope that a few fall.
"You've got 72 holes, I don't necessarily feel like you've got to get off to a flier. You obviously can't be over par to try to win this week but it's the same thing, be patient over four days and aim for four good rounds. One good round is one day, we all know there are 72 holes to be played."
As a Qualifying School graduate, Lemke has been able to play more events than Easton but is just ten places higher in the Rankings, with one top ten in his opening event of the season.
The Swede was bogey free on day one as he matched Easton's 63, eagling the second and birdieing four of his last six holes.
"The course is pretty straightforward but it's always nice to go bogey free," he said. "The game has been feeling pretty good.
"Hit a terrible tee shot on the first and made par, after that it was pretty solid. One of those days where you feel in control. I had a bad warm-up but felt pretty good on the golf course."
