Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from Thursday's opening round at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Catlin and Mostert rose to the top of the leaderboard while Wilson joined the 400 club on day one of the 2023 Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday's opening round at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Catlin's short-game masterclass

John Catlin found himself in the rough around the sixth green after two shots but chipped in for a bonus birdie courtesy of this delightful shot...

He leads the way alongside Dylan Mostert on seven under par after carding an eagle and five birdies in his spotless 64.

Wilson joins the 400 club

Oliver Wilson reached a big milestone on Thursday as he made his 400th DP World Tour start. He signed for a level-par 71 to sit seven shots off the lead after 18 holes. Speaking about the landmark ahead of the event, Wilson said: "I never set out thinking about a number to get to or to surpass but I'm pleased that I've managed to stay the course and get to 400. It's been erratic! It's been up and down, a lot of highs and a lot of lows but I'm still plugging away and enjoying it more now than probably ever - so that's good - and hopefully I can get to 500."

Amazing ace

Uganda's Ronald Rugumayo started from the tenth tee on Thursday and endured a rough ride on his front nine. But he bounced back brilliantly, holing his tee-shot at the par-three second from 201 yards with an eight iron for an unforgettable ace.

Last year's winner gets stuck in the mud

Defending champion Wu Ashun's ball landed in the mud down by the water at the first hole, and as he weighed up whether or not to play the shot, his right foot sank deeper into the mud and he had to struggle to get out.

Mostert maintains fine form

South Africa's Mostert arrived in Kenya fresh from winning his maiden European Challenge Tour title at the Nelson Mandela Bay Championship on home soil two weeks ago. And he continued that superb form in Thursday's 64, which featured eight birdies and a single dropped shot at his final hole. Mostert said: "I'm very pleased. I played very solid today, kept the momentum going throughout the round. Made some good putts, hit a lot of greens."