Olesen, Wade course records to lead Perth International

23 October 2014 10:46

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and Australian John Wade both fired a course record eight-under 64 to lead the European Tour co-sanctioned $1.75 US million Perth International at Lake Karrinyup on Thursday.

Wade carded six birdies and an eagle three in the morning before he was joined later in the opening round by Olesen.

Olesen compiled eight birdies - four in the outward nine holes and another four coming home -- to lead a group of four golfers on six-under 66.

"I played really, really well the front nine. I gave myself a lot of chances there," Olesen said.

"Especially my short game was amazing out there. My chipping and bunker shots were really, really good. So I'm very pleased."

Playing in the marquee group with fellow European young gun Victor Dubuisson and 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, Olesen was bogey-free and full of confidence.

"I haven't played as well as I wanted to this year, so it was nice to get in one of the good groups," added Olesen, who splits his time between the European Tour and PGA Tour.

Sitting two shots behind the leaders were Australia's Michael Sim, Peter Whiteford of Scotland, South Korea's Shiwan Kim and England's Tom Lewis.

The 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel trailed the leaders by four shots after nailing a long-range putt on his final hole.

Defending champion Jin Jeong was even with the card, while 2013 PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner was two-under in his first competitive hit-out since succumbing to a serious neck injury in August.

Rising French star Dubuisson had some work to do after finishing at one-under.

Source: AFP