ST ANDREWS, Scotland – South African Branden Grace equalled the European Tour record when he shot a blistering 12-under-par 60 midway through the first round of the Dunhill Links Championship Thursday. Grace, a triple winner on the tour in 2012, clipped two strokes off Lee Westwood's previous Kingsbarns record of 62 set in 2003 after finishing with five straight birdies. Frenchman Victor Dubuisson was two shots off the lead on 62 after breaking the course record at St Andrews, one of three layouts being used this week. Grace became the 14th player to shoot a 60 on the European Tour. Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, the 2011 British Open winner, is the only man to card two 60s on the circuit, in 1992 and 1999. Long-hitting Frenchman Dubuisson broke the previous St Andrews best of 63 held by world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, former top-ranked player Luke Donald and fellow Briton Simon Dyson. Young Dane Thorbjorn Olesen was also on form at the famous Old Course, returning a 63 in the $5 million Dunhill pro-am tournament. Ryder Cup hero Martin Kaymer (70) played at the more testing Carnoustie layout and missed a par putt at the 18th of a similar length to the one he holed in Chicago last Sunday to win the trophy for Europe. Kaymer's Ryder Cup team mates Paul Lawrie (75) and Peter Hanson (72), both playing at Carnoustie, also found the going tough. British Open champion Ernie Els returned a 73 at Carnoustie where the best score midway through round one was a 67 by England's Oliver Wilson. Ochoa returns to action Retired champion Lorena Ochoa shot a 1-under round of 69 at the Lacoste Ladies Open at Saint-Jean-de-Lux, France, Thursday. Ochoa is playing at the request of the sponsor. She was ranked No. 1 for three years and won two majors among 27 victories before retiring from full-time golf in April 2010 to focus on her family and charities. After her first round on the Ladies European Tour in more than two years, the 30-year-old Ochoa was fairly pleased. “I think for sure, I made a couple of mistakes out there that made me mad, but I think it was a good day. I was trying to go around (in) par,” Ochoa said. “I am relieved to get the first round out. Finishing under par is always good so I'm happy with that last birdie. You know, it made my afternoon better and I'm going to get ready for (Friday).” Ochoa's last title came at the Navistar LPGA Classic exactly three years ago. “I need to understand that my life is different now. I don't practice as much and sometimes you have to just bear with the few mistakes,” she said. Stacey Keating of Australia led the day with an 8-under 62 at Chantaco Golf Club. Yip steals the show Canada's Ryan Yip shot a flawless seven-under-par 64 to take the first round-lead ahead of better-known rivals at the CJ Invitational in South Korea Thursday. Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, a 14-time Asian tour winner, and Australia's Rick Kulacz shared second place on 65 at the tournament hosted by Korean star K.J. Choi. Korea's Lee Dong-Hwan signed for a 66 to take fourth place while seven players posted 67 to share fifth place, including seven-time Asian Tour winner Charlie Wi, Korea's Lee Sung and Thailand's Chapchai Nirat. — Agencies
