Backstrom leads the Italian Open

MILAN, Italy, May 3 (UPI) -- Sweden's Joakim Backstrom Thursday shot a course record, 10-under-par 62 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Italian Open in Milan.

On a sunny, cloud-free day, Backstrom sank 10 birdies at Castello di Tolcinasco Golf and Country Club in his best round of the year.

Markus Brier of Austria birdied four of the last six holes to get within a shot of Backstrom at 9-under. Brier's 63 matched the previous course record, set by Richard Finch in 2005 and matched in 2006 by Soren Kjeldsen.

"I began with an eagle, but I've done that before and never shot a 62, so that was nice to do," Backstrom said. "This is a good start."

Japan's Taichi Teshima is in third place at 8-under 64.

Alvaro Quiros of Spain, England's James Heath and Andrew McLardy of Zimbabwe are tied for fourth at 7-under 65.

Defending champion Francesco Molinari of Italy shot 5-under 67 to tie for 14th place with nine others, including South Africa's Carl Schwartzel, last week's winner at Madrid.