Horsey goes low in Saudi

Englishman David Horsey fired seven birdies on his back nine for bogey free round of 61 to take a one shot lead in the opening round of the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

The four-time European Tour winner came home in just 28 shots to add to earlier birdies on the fifth and sixth holes, to set the pace on nine-under-par at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

Horsey missed the cut in the first two events of the European Tour’s Middle East swing, but he holds a one stroke advantage over former Ryder Cup player Stephen Gallacher, of Scotland, who posted ten birdies in an eight-under-par round of 62.
“It's a shock actually. I've been playing rubbish the last couple weeks. Didn't feel like I controlled my ball the first two events," said Horsey.
“I had a conversation with a pal back home last night, talking a few things through and suggested something that I work on away from the tournament.  Knowing me, I thought, well, can't get any worse, so I may as well try it and here we are."
Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger is two shots further back on six-under-par after signing for a 65, with U.S. Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau amongst a group on five-under.

“I’m definitely very pleased. I was driving it a bit all over the place for the most part out there. Hit some good drives to six and seven," was DeChambeau's take on his round.
"But was definitely struggling with the driver and a little bit of the irons, and I have to clean that up for tomorrow. If I can do that and put the way I did today, I'll certainly be pleased."
World Number One Dustin Johnson opened with a three-under-par 67, as did his two playing partners, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Tyrrell Hatton and reigning Race to Dubai Champion Lee Westwood.