Day one digest: 2021 BMW PGA Championship

Everything you need to know from day one of the third Rolex Series event of the 2021 Race to Dubai.

Kiradech was back on song, Bez had a big finish, Miguel produced more magic and rookie caddies were the order of the day in round one of the 2021 BMW PGA Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from day one at Wentworth Golf Club.

Aphibarnrat finds form to share the lead

It has not been the easiest of times for Kiradech Aphibarnrat since injuring his knee at the 2019 Masters Tournament, with no top tens on the European Tour and a broken schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He did not play competitively anywhere in the world for 24 weeks in 2020 and missed 11 of his first 15 cuts worldwide in 2021. So it was all the more enjoyable to see the likeable Thai make seven birdies in eight holes after the turn on Thursday to sign for a 64 and lead the way. "I really enjoy it," he said. "I just want to come up here and enjoy every single minute that I spend on the European Tour, every time I come back it just feels like home. I feel comfortable over here - I see some friends, see my coaches. It's a lovely golf course. I enjoy it every time I come back to Wentworth."

Bez happy to get his reward

Since claiming back to back wins on home soil in November and December, Christiaan Bezuidenhout has not missed a cut worldwide but has failed to register a top ten on the European Tour. On Thursday, his consistency was rewarded as he carded a 64 with a stunning chip-in eagle and seven birdies to join Aphibarnrat at the top of the leaderboard. "Everything with my game feels better than a year ago but I'm not getting the scores or the results and stuff. I just keep on doing the right things, keep on doing the same things that obviously have been working over the last year. I drove the ball lovely today so I just kept it in play. Gave myself a chance and the putter was good."

More Miguel magic at Wentworth

Since making his debut at this event in 1990, Miguel Ángel Jiménez has played every edition barring two and in his 30th appearance on the West Course, he carded a 68 to put himself right in the mix. It is 13 years since he won the event in his 19th consecutive appearance with a hole-in-one en route, and six years since he finished second at the age of 51 - with another ace for good measure. Now 57, he is hunting an eighth top ten and it would take a brave person to bet against him. "I love it very much," he said. "I've played so many times on this golf course, every time I come here I always enjoy myself so much on this golf course.  Especially the BMW PGA, it's in superb condition, fast fairways and things, fast greens, and you stay out of the rough, you do very well. Great golf course. I love it. I always enjoy coming here. The moment I leave now here this week, to me, this is the best week of all of them."

Buddies on the bag

Major Champions Adam Scott and Justin Rose both enjoyed having familiar faces on the bag as they enjoyed bright starts on day one. Scott had coach and brother-in-law Brad Malone on the bag and their partnership produced results, with the Australian carding a seven under par 65. Rose, meanwhile, had agent and close friend Paul 'Macca' McDonnell caddying as he battles to get into Padraig Harrington's Ryder Cup team, and the Englishman carded a 67. "He was brilliant. He turned up this morning, he kept up on the golf course and he shut up," said Rose. That's the sort of joke you can only really make about a person who was best man at your wedding.

Not all pars are equal

It's never dull when Poults is around and even he couldn't quite believe he got out of the fourth with a five. Have a look at this.

Neither are all birdies

Scott thought his tee shot at the 15th was out of bounds so he hit a provisional. He was lucky enough to find his first ball and gouge it out and then he did this.

Take a bow.

Chase the ace.....

.....but not quite catch it. Nacho Elvira was almost perfect at the tenth.

And Chris Paisley did this at the 14th.

So close.