ROME, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Ian Poulter of England fired an 11-under-par 61 Thursday to shatter a 34-year-old course record and take the lead after the first round of the Italian Open.
The 26-year-old had nine birdies and an eagle during his bogey-free round at the Olgiata Golf Course to take a three-stroke lead over Anders Hansen of Denmark and Miles Tunnicliff of England.
Six birdies on the front nine attracted attention to Poulter, the winner of this event two years ago who suddenly found himself flirting with the European Tour record of 59. Poulter added birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 before he saved his best for the par-5 15th hole.
Poulter used a 6-iron to set up a 12-foot eagle putt on the 492-yard hole and that was followed by a birdie after his 4-iron tee shot nestled six feet from the cup.
After his tee shot on the 17th hole found the trees, Poulter parred the last two holes to break the course record set by Al Balding of Canada in the 1968 World Cup.
"A 59 was definitely on," Poulter said. "It is the lowest score I ever had but there were a few opportunities out there. I am so happy having walked off shooting 61 but it would have been nice to have nicked another couple."
Hansen continued the Danish resurgence on the European Tour with his 69. Steen Dinning became the fourth Danish winner on tour this season last week with a victory in Madrid.
"It's awesome, isn't it,?" Hansen said. "It's a great year for Danish golf."
Tunnicliff, who claimed his maiden title earlier this year when he won the Great North Open, kept pace with Hansen.
"I'm starting to play real nicely," Tunnicliff said. "I'm hitting the ball real well the last three or four weeks."
Patrik Sjoland of Sweden, Paul Lawrie and Gary Orr of Scotland, Philip Golding of England, Emanuele Canonica of Italy and Jarrod Mosely of Australia share fourth place with 66s.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington, who is trying to overtake Retief Goosen in the Order of Merit, started slowly Thursday with a 71.
