Nineinarow /Nitties equals world record as Forrest starts well

Grant Forrest led a promising start by the Scottish contingent as home player James Nitties equalled the world record by making nine consecutive birdies on a day of low scoring in the ISPS Handa Vic Open.

The incredible run by Nitties matches the feat accomplished by former Open champion Mark Calcavecchia in the 2009 Canadian Open and followed a double bogey on the 14th hole – his fifth of the day – on the Beach course at 13th Beach Golf Club.

Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger made nine birdies in a row at the 2017 Maybank Championship, but, with preferred lies in play on that occasion, Nitties’ run of gains made him the first player to officially do it on the European Tour.

“I had a good chance for that tenth birdie but I didn’t want to break it,” joked the 36-year-old. “It’s such a longstanding record, I wouldn’t do that to Mark, so it’s good to hold it with him. I’m pumped. I don’t hold any other world records that I know of, so to be a part of one is pretty cool. “

An eight-under-par 64 left Nitties in a six-way tie for second alongside Jason Scrivener, James Anstiss, Callum Shinkwin, Kurt Kitayama and Hugo Leon, two shots behind leader Nick Flanagan, who had eight birdies and two eagles in a 62 on the Creek Course.

Playing on the Beach course, Forrest carded a

0 England’s Georgia Hall plays an approach shot during her first round at the Vic Open event.

seven-under 65, storming home in 31 after picking up five birdies in seven holes. The effort, which was his third 65 of the season after graduating from the Challenge Tour, left the 25-yearold sitting joint eighth.

David Drysale carded a bogey-free 66, one better than David Law and Bob Macintyre, while Connor Syme also broke par with a 71. Liam Johnston was the

odd man out among the Scots as he had to settle for a par-72.

The tournament is cosanctioned by the European Tour and LPGA and features men and women playing on the same courses at the same time, for equal prize-money.

In the women’s event, England’s Felicity Johnson carded an eight-underpar 65 to claim a two-shot

lead over America’s Kim Kaufman, Canada’s Annecatherine Tanguay and Australia’s Su Oh.

Australian-based Scot Karis Davidson is just four shots off the lead, sitting ahead of Women’s British Open champion Georgia Hall after she opened with a 70. Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew carded a 72 and Charley Hull returned a level-par 73.