Ross Kellett fired an incredible 60 to equal the course record at Tecina Golf and reach the top of the leaderboard after round one of the Fred Olsen Challenge de España on the European Challenge Tour.
The Scotsman was in blistering form in the Spanish sun, picking up ten birdies, an eagle and a bogey to match the 11 under par total reached by Wales’s Rhys Davies – who won the competition last season.
The 28 year old, whose best result on the 2016 Road to Oman to date is a tied 17thplace finish at the Made in Denmark Challenge – Presented by Ejner Hessel, came within inches of becoming only the second Challenge Tour player in history to card a 59 after missing a birdie putt at the last.
But the Motherwell man was not downbeat after just missing out on the magic number, and is eager to keep his hot streak going for the rest of the week.
“I can’t be too annoyed and am really happy to get to 11 under,” said Kellett who holds a one shot lead over France’s Adrien Saddier after day one.
“I birdied two and three – which was nice – bogeyed four, then made a nice putt on five. I made a really nice eagle on seven and I birdied eight and nine for six under out.
“I then missed a good chance on ten but bounced back to birdie 11 and 12 with two good putts. Further birdies on 14, 15 and 17 put me in a really good position going to 18.
“When I came to 18 the tee was up slightly an it was down wind. I hit a rescue and left myself with a wedge in. I pulled the wedge but managed to get up there and left myself with 15 feet or so. I knew that I would have a chance for a 59. I saw my putt was down-grain but I just left it two inches short.
“This week is such a great week – there are so many distractions away from the golf with the hotel and the beautiful views. If you make a bogey out there, there are definitely worse places where you can hit a bad shot. So I am sure that will help me for the rest of the week!”
One behind Kellett is Saddier, who signed for a ten under par 61 after carding eight birdies, two eagles and two bogeys.
“It was great day,” he said. “Three birdies and two eagles in a row was fantastic and to finish with three birdies as well felt really special.
“Everything was good, I hit the ball really well, used good spin on the greens, and just managed to make the birdie putts.
“As a professional this is my best ever score – as an amateur it was eight under par. The course is short and the place is really nice – I feel like I am on holiday. Because of this I do not feel any pressure and am just going to enjoy this week.
“I played well in my last tournament put just didn’t make as many birdies. I had a good week off working with my coach and it feels as though it is clicking!”
Two back from Saddier is England’s Steven Tiley, who was an early clubhouse leader after signing for an eight under par 63.
Home favourites Jose Luis Adarraga Gomez, Juan Sarasti and Jordi Garcia Pinto are all among the chasing pack on seven under par.
