Alexander Knappe followed up his maiden win on the European Challenge Tour with an impressive nine under par 62 on day one of the KPMG Trophy in Aartselaar.
After securing a one shot victory in Switzerland last week, the German started brightly at Cleydael Golf and Country Club, birdieing his first three holes after starting at the tenth.
The 27 year old, who represented Germany in the Eisenhower Trophy as an amateur, went on to make three more gains, reaching the turn in 29.
And after picking up three further birdies in his last nine holes, Knappe is feeling confident after setting the bar high in the outskirts of Antwerp.
“After 10 holes I really thought I could make 59,” said Knappe who would have become only the second player in Challenge Tour history to reach the score after Adrien Mörk achieved the feat in 2006.
“I got off to a great start after birdieing the first three holes – then I just kept going. I chipped in on 16 and then birdied 17 and on the back nine I tried to go even lower.
“After making a birdie at 11 I missed two ten foot putts. Then I three-putted on the par five sixth so that really kept me from reaching 59.
“But overall I am really happy with my round and we still have three rounds so you never know, I may reach it.
“Last week gave me a lot of confidence because I played well in all four rounds. Although I didn’t score as well as I could have I still won, and that makes me feel good as I know I can do better. I will just keep doing what I am doing and will try to improve each day.”
Close behind Knappe is Chile’s Nico Geyger, who set a blistering pace on the front nine, birdieing his first six holes to reach the turn in 29. The 29 year old continued his good form over the back nine to reach seven under par overall.
Among one of four players one behind Geyger is Englishman Gary King. Seven birdies and one bogey pushed the Montecchia Open by Lyoness champion into tied third place on the leaderboard, leaving the 25 year old in a strong position after day one.
Thomas Detry during round one at the KPMG Trophy (credit golfsupport.nl/Frank Vuylsteke)
Playing in his first event as a professional, Thomas Detry made an exceptional start to life on the paid ranks. The Brussels-born 23 year old, who studied at the University of Illinois alongside compatriot Thomas Pieters, carded a five under par 66 to sit four off the lead.
Detry was not the only success for the home nation during round one, as 18 year old amateur Kristof Ulenaers made the first hole-in-one of his career, acing the 160-yard par three 14th.
