Wu Ashun made yet more history in a week that is proving full of milestones on day three of the 2021 Gran Canaria Lopesan Open.
Having already seen a new mark set for lowest score to make a cut in European Tour history and three players fire a course record 61 on Friday, Wu joined Thorbjørn Olesen, Connor Syme and Sam Horsfield in carding a nine under par effort.
Perhaps more significantly, Wu's 61 was the lowest round ever recorded by a Chinese player on the European Tour, another achievement for a man whose three wins are the most by any of his countrymen in Tour history.
When he birdied the 17th, he knew a three on the par five 18th - where there had been eight eagles this week already - would make him the second player ever after Oliver Fisher to record a 59 on the European Tour.
A HUGE move this morning from Ashun Wu 🔥
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 24, 2021
He matches the course record 61 and is now tied for the lead.#GranCanariaLopesanOpen | @Workday pic.twitter.com/pbakB3cery
He had to make do with a par after his tee shot forced him to lay up, but the 35-year-old was delighted with his day's work at Meloneras Golf.
"I didn’t exactly feel big pressure but the last hole is a good chance to make a birdie," he said. "I just missed it. I didn’t make a birdie on the 18th on the first or second day either.
"On the tee, my thought was that it is a good hole to make a birdie, but you could have an eagle chance too. I just missed the fairway, then the second shot was just a lay up. The third shot I played very well but I just missed the putt.
"Today was nice weather again. I love to play here. It’s a good course to make birdies and I made a lot of birdies today. Nine birdies and bogey free today so I am very happy playing here today."
