Quicker equals course record

The Swedish prodigy put together a sizzling eight-under 64, matching the feat Canada’s Lindsay Renolds recorded last year, to go two clear of Scotland’s Tom Buchanan and three off ‘local boy’ Sebastian Heisele.

Zane Scotland and Stephen Dodd, the former European Tour players, were a further shot adrift on four under, staying within striking range of the early leaders as 21 players managed to break par on the challenging course designed by Robert Trent Jones II.

Defending champion Peter Richardson of England, however, slipped well down the leaderboard after signing off with a 75 while UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh shot a 77, his best round since turning pro earlier this month.

Quicker admitted it was a great feeling to walk off the golf course and see his name on top of the leaderboard. “Everything fell in place. I played solid golf from start to finish and holing some early putts was the key.