Staff WriterTapio Pulkkanen set the Shanghai greens ablaze at the Volvo China Open, carding his season‑best round to grab a three‑stroke cushion.
The Finn’s nine‑under‑par 62 at Enhance Anting Golf Club not only sits him atop the leaderboard but also shatters the clubhouse record on day one of the Volvo China Open.
Record‑Breaking Rally in Shanghai
Pulkkanen, who topped the HotelPlanner Tour Rankings back in 2017, blitzed his front nine in four under before turning up the heat.
After birdies at holes 1 and 3, he sank a chip‑in eagle at the drivable fourth, then added another birdie on the par‑4 eighth.
When he signed for a sparkling 62, even the Shanghai skyline seemed to lean in for a closer look.
Tapio Pulkkanen: “A great start. 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 think I was a bit lucky with a couple of putts as well, they went in on the edge of the hole. A solid wedge game, a lot of wedges inside six feet, so I was able to make easy birdies as well.
“(On four) I hit my five iron off the tee, one or two clubs too much, and I was quite close to the pin. I tried to hit a low wedge shot to jump forward and it did exactly what I tried, so it was perfect.”
Chacarra Chasing History
Hot on his heels at six under is Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra. Fresh from his maiden DP World Tour victory at the Hero Indian Open just two weeks ago, Chacarra rattled off seven birdies against a lone bogey to post a 65.
His charge ensures the leaderboard drama will only intensify as the week unfolds at the Volvo China Open.
Eugenio Chacarra: “It’s nice to start in a good way. 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.
“Momentum was great. It was all going my way, putts were going in, I was getting good numbers in the fairway and executing well. That bogey on 13, I hit a great drive into the fairway but ended in a divot. It was unlucky, so that didn’t bother me too much. Luckily, I hit a good shot on 14 to make a birdie.”
A Crowd of Contenders
Two strokes further back, five players share third place at four under. The group includes:
- Bai Zhengkai, the leading Chinese star after round one
- Jason Scrivener and Elvis Smylie of Australia
- New Zealander Kazuma Kobori
- American Jordan Gumberg
With so much talent bunched together, day two promises fireworks as the Volvo China Open’s leading names vie for position.
Darkness and Drama
Play was halted at 18:23 local time when night fell, leaving 13 competitors unfinished with their first rounds.
Action resumes at 07:15 on Friday morning, with tee times unchanged. As the refined fairways of Enhance Anting Golf Club thaw in the dawn light, the race to the title will pick up exactly where it left off—no penalty strokes, just pure, unfiltered competition.
Whether you’re tracking Pulkkanen’s chase for a second international title or watching Chacarra’s rise, the Volvo China Open is shaping up as one of the most compelling chapters of the season. Keep your eyes on the leaderboard—this one’s far from over.
