First albatross of the year for Sam Jones (62) with Nacho Elvira in 2nd place (64)

The New Zealander Sam Jones surprised at a great start to Soudal Openof DP World Tourheld at Rinkven International in Antwerp (Belgium)by delivering a card of 62 strokes (nine under par), with the Spaniard Nacho Elvirawith 64, in a shared second place.

An unusual ‘albatross’ (-3) on the 17th hole (par 5 covered in just two shots), seven ‘birdies’ and a ‘bogey’ marked the remarkable course of a Jones who, at the age of 27, is celebrating his first season on the DP World Tour (ex-European Circuit). He comes into the Belgian event having missed four cuts in his last five tournaments.

His 62 was not a Rinkven International record, but his ‘albatross’ was the first ever made on the Circuit so far this season. It was on the 17th hole, the penultimate of his round, some 520 meters set to be covered in five strokes.

“At first I was going to try to do it in three shots. I thought about three irons on the tee, but I used a wood and hit really well. (after the first shot) There were 248 meters left to reach the flag and I said my caddy Keith’s three wood was perfect, and I found myself in the breeze a little bit I was doing well up to that point in the round and I thought if I made a bogey it wouldn’t be a big deal. I just hit it, wanted it to be good in the wind and that’s my first albatross, it’s not a bad place to do it,” Jones said, in remarks provided by the organization.

Two strokes behind the New Zealander is a quintet of players, including Nacho Elvira (seven birdies), the English Matthew Jordan and Andrew Wilsonthe French Romain Langasque and the danish Niklas Norgaard.

Among the other Spaniards, Ángel Hidalgo and Alejandro del Rey also put in a good performance, each scoring 67, Adrián Otaegui added 68, Adri Arnaus and Manuel Elvira with 69. For his part, the Paraguayan who Fabrizio Zanotti delivered 72 (+1).