Volvo China Open - Day one digest

A flying Finn set a new course record, home favourite Haotong Li almost found the ace and Eugenio Chacarra moved in contention in his bid for back-to-back DP World Tour titles at the Volvo China Open.

Here is everything you need to know from round one at Enhance Anting Golf Club.

Pulkkanen puts in the building blocks for maiden win

The 34-year-old has yet to enter the winner's enclosure on his previous 179 DP World Tour appearances, but he made a bold start with a new course record of 62 in Shanghai. He rolled in seven birdies and holed out for an eagle two at the par-four fourth to climb to the summit at nine under par, three shots clear of Chacarra. "A great start," the Finn said. "My putter was really hot, I think I missed just one putt inside 15 feet. A lot of good putts and solid tee to green. It was a good score. I did some good work back home in Finland, although it was snowing a couple of days. My iron game was good. Overall, everything was awesome."

Pulkkanen pitches perfect

The highlight of Pulkkanen's first round was the hole-out at the par-four fourth. The Finn was at six under at the time, alongside clubhouse leader Chacarra, when he teed off with a five iron to leave himself with wedge into the green. He did not need his putter, however, as he landed five feet left of the pin before hopping sideways into the cup for an eagle two.

Happy Chacarra starts strongly

The Spaniard is buoyed with confidence after his victory at last month's Hero Indian Open and his continued his momentum with a six-under 65 to sit in solo second, thanks to seven birdies and one dropped shot. "It’s nice to start in a good way," Chacarra said. "The round was solid from the start. I didn’t make birdie on the first two, which played easy with no wind in the morning, but I knew my game was there. I hit the ball well, made some putts and I’m happy with the start."

Haotong Li almost finds the ace

The home favourite was oh so close to holing his tee shot at the par-three second. Imagine the scenes if that had rolled in!

Bairstow sticks one close

Sam Bairstow was going along nicely when he produced this brilliant approach at the par-five tenth to set up an eagle putt. What a shot.