Omega European Masters: Day one digest

Ashun Wu was setting a fast pace as players got to grips with the altitude on day one at the Omega European Masters.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.

Wu hits the summit at sunny Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club

Ashun Wu matched his lowest round on the DP World Tour in almost four years as a flawless 63 earned him a one-shot lead after a low-scoring first round at the Omega European Masters. The Chinese star has struggled for consistency this season but was firing on all cylinders on Thursday as he made seven birdies over the par-70 Severiano Ballesteros Course at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. That saw him post his best score since the opening round of the Open de España presented by Madrid in 2022 and edge ahead of a five-strong group of players that included defending champion Thriston Lawrence, Angel Ayora, Shubhankar Sharma, Nicolai von Dellingshausen and Todd Clements.

Report - Ashun Wu leads the way after low-scoring day in Crans-Montana

Hall feeling at home in Crans-Montana

Harry Hall compared playing at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club to being back at home in Las Vegas as he made a fast start to his debut at the Omega European Masters. The Englishman has made Las Vegas his primary base since graduating from University of Nevada in 2019, and as such is used to the challenges posed by playing at altitude. While Crans-Montana may be a completely different backdrop to what Hall is accustomed to in the United States, the 29-year-old revealed he was feeling at ease adjusting to conditions in the Swiss Alps after grouping an eagle, five birdies with two bogeys to card an impressive five-under-par 65. "It was really good," he said. "Didn't hit the ball as good as I would like to, but I putted really nice for the first time in a while. It's nice to be at altitude, I live at altitude, and that was pretty familiar, so, yeah, a good day."

Lorenzo-Vera makes surprise DP World Tour return

A year on from announcing his retirement from professional golf, Mike Lorenzo-Vera made a surprise return at the Omega European Masters. The Frenchman bid an emotional farewell to the DP World Tour in this event at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club last year. However, through a withdrawal by New Zealand's Daniel Hillier, the 41-year-old Lorenzo-Vera is back in the Swiss Alps. Despite having spent time across the summer in Crans-Montana, working with clients on commercial golf days, the late invite to take his place in the field via a phone call from the club came as an unexpected, yet pleasant, surprise. "I was very chilled and relaxed until I hung up the phone and became nervous again," he said in an on-course interview during the first round on Thursday. After mixing four bogeys with one birdie, he sits at three over after day one.

A champion's tradition

Along with the beauty of Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club’s surroundings, there is a great tradition that forms part of the history of the Omega European Masters. Introduced by tournament organisers in 2011 as a way to pay tribute following the death of Seve Ballesteros, a three-time winner of the event, earlier that year, bronze plaques are laid to honour past winners. While he already had a permanent place in the streets of Crans-Montana having won the title in 2022, South Africa's reigning champion Thriston Lawrence laid his updated plaque bearing his name, signature and years he won the title on Thursday morning.

Read more - The history behind Omega European Masters' Hollywood-style walk of fame in Crans-Montana

Behind the mic

Following a 68 in the morning wave, Marco Penge was a welcome guest in the commentary box as he provided his insights as the first round unfolded.

He was later the subject of focus over his golf swing which is capable of ball speeds towards 190 mph, offering his own perspective on what enables him to be one of the longest hitters on tour.

Shot of the day

We were treated to some sublime shots but I don't think anybody would deny Patrick Reed produced something special out of the rough to set up a tap-in birdie at the 17th on his way to an opening 66.