MILAN, Italy (AP) — Joakim Backstrom shot a course record 10-under 62 Thursday to come within one stroke of matching the lowest round of the European Tour season in the first round at the Italian Open.
The 29-year-old Swede broke the Castello di Tolcinasco course record by one stroke. He held an early three-stroke lead over England's James Heath, who was at 7 under.
Chapchai Nirat of Thailand scored the year's lowest round when he shot an 11-under 61 on his way to winning the TCL Classic in China in March.
Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, David Griffiths of England and Anders Hansen of Denmark were in a three-way tie for third at 6 under.
Defending champion Francesco Molinari and last year's American Ryder Cup captain, Tom Lehman, playing on a special invitation, were grouped together for an afternoon start.
