Marco Penge smashes course record to lead Danish Golf Championship after day one

Penge has not looked back since securing his maiden title at the Hainan Classic in April, registering six top 30 finishes in his next seven starts, including a share of second at the Genesis Scottish Open last month, which has seen the Englishman catapult up to fifth in the Race to Dubai Rankings.

Penge was flawless in his record 64 at Furesp Golf Klub after carding an eagle and five birdies to set the clubhouse target of seven under par, two clear of home favourite Rasmus Hojgaard, Major Champion Francesco Molinari, Canadian Aaron Cockerill, Scotland's Marc Warren and German Jeremy Paul.

"Last week I wasn't good enough and didn't want it to be that way. It wasn't good enough and I wanted to correct that here," the leader said.

"I hit the ball better, made some changes to my equipment. Put some new irons in, the same heads but changed the lofts a little bit. A couple of changes and it's worked.

"It's a really good test of golf, especially the back nine. You can't afford to hit it off line. Luckily I didn't miss a shot for the whole round.

"You don't have many days like that. I'm going to end up in some trouble at some point this week, I'm glad I got through 18 holes without being in that trouble, so we'll see how we go over the next three days."

Højgaard mixed eight birdies, a double bogey and a dropped shot to join the chasing pack at five under, with 2018 Open Champion Molinari carding 66 - his lowest round of the year - thanks to a chip-in eagle at the last.

Warren, who finished last week's Nexo Championship with a closing 67, continued his fine form with an opening 66 of six birdies and a bogey in Copenhagen.

Cockerill was also at that mark after an eagle, five gains and two dropped shots. Paul was bogey-free during his first round.

Penge's new course record could win him $10,000 courtesy of Nexo should no-one shoot lower throughout the week.