Spain's Alejandro del Rey has taken the lead at the China Open golf tournament, part of the DP World Tour, after signing a spectacular card of 61 strokes, ten under par. His performance at the Enhance Anting Golf Club in Shanghai included an eagle, nine birdies, and just one bogey, setting a new course record. Del Rey leads by one stroke over young Chinese player Yanhan Zhou, 18, who also carded nine under par, a historic mark for a local player in this event.
The technical detail: strategy and precision on a revamped course 🏌️
The Enhance Anting Golf Club has undergone design improvements for this tournament, with narrower fairways and faster greens demanding millimeter-perfect distance control. Del Rey took advantage of the favorable morning conditions, with no wind, to attack the flags with highly precise approach shots. His use of the driver on the par 5s, combined with a steady putter, allowed him to sink mid-range putts. Zhou, for his part, relied on exceptional iron play to stay in the fight, demonstrating a technical maturity uncommon for a player his age.
The Chinese promise and the shadow of the record 🇨🇳
While Del Rey celebrates his historic round, young Zhou, with nine wins on the China Tour since age 16, is already eyeing the Spaniard with a stern look. It is said that the kid not only wants to win the tournament but also to take the course record away from Del Rey. But of course, at 18 years old and with that aim, maybe what he really wants is an invitation to dinner so he can pick up the tab. Golf is a gentleman's sport, but money is money.