Fich makes a big splash to lead the way

DARREN FIRES STUNNING 61

- Phil Casey

SOUTH AFRICAN Darren Fichardt threatened to fire the second 59 in DP World Tour history before claiming a narrow lead after day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Fichardt hit two eagles and nine birdies in an 11-under-par 61 at Kingsbarns, just a shot outside the course record shared by Branden Grace and Peter Uihlein.

On a day of low scoring in ideal conditions, the 49-year-old leads by one from Australia's Cameron John, whose 62 also came at Kingsbarns, with Scott Jamieson and Andrew Wilson shooting 63 at the same venue.

New Zealand's Daniel Hillier returned a 63 on the Old Course at St Andrews.