Ashun Wu matched his lowest round on the DP World Tour in almost four years as a flawless 63 on Thursday 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.

Two-time champion Lawrence appeared most likely to set the pace on the opening day when he fired six front-nine birdies, but his momentum stalled on the back nine as he settled for a bogey-free 64.

Victory this week would see the South African become the first player since Severiano Ballesteros to win the tournament on three occasions since it formed part of the DP World Tour’s inaugural season in 1972.

Despite the exquisite start to his round, largely through stellar approach play, his par at the par five 14th after his original tee shot went out of bounds will likely be just as much a source of satisfaction.

“No reds on the back nine but I would have taken a 64 before the round,” he reflected.

“Pity about the OB on 14 but that’s going to happen, you’re going to give something to the course and you’re going to get some breaks. I’m very happy.”

Casey Jarvis and Erik van Rooyen were in a share of 26th after first rounds of three-under-par 67 each, together with, amongst others, Jayden Schaper and Jacques Kruyswijk.

Yurav Premlall was on two-under, while Michael Hollick, Daniel van Tonder and Brandon Stone were on under-par in a share of 65th.