COLOGNE (Germany), Sept 18: Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson hit a record-equalling 60 on the first day of the three-million-euro EPGA German Masters here on Thursday.

The 28-year-old, who was playing on the par-72, Gut Larchenhof course, became the 12th player on the European Tour to jointly hold the record round of 60.

Jacobson also beat the course record, set by England’s Paul Casey last year, by two shots.

But he just failed to create history as, needing a birdie on the last the last to shoot the first-ever round of 59 on the European Tour, he failed to chip in from 10 yards after missing the green.

Despite his heroics he finished the day just three clear of South Korea’s KJ Choi, who hit a nine-under 63, while Darren Clarke, Ian Poulter, Paul Casey, Gary Orr and Spain’s Carlos Rodiles were all home in 65.

Jacobson carded 10 birdies and an eagle in his round in perfect scoring conditions in Cologne.

Starting on the 10th, Jacobson made a birdie from six feet, holed out from 35 feet on the 12th, birdied again on the par-five 13th and added another on the 14th.

That run came to an end on the par-five 15th when he ended in the sand but recovered with two more birdies on the 17th and 18th.

Three more followed on the second and fourth with an eagle on the third. On the fifth hole, he missed a 12-foot birdie attempt and then made par on the sixth.

Leading first round scores

60 Fredrik Jacoboson

63 K.J. Choi

65 Paul Casey, Carlos Rodiles, Ian Poulter, Darren Clarke, Gary Orr

66 Marcus Fraser, David Gilford, David Howell, Brett Rumford, Adam Scott, Steve Webster

67 John Bickerton, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Maarten Lafeber, Paul McGinley, Nick O’Hern, Miles Tunnicliff, Ian Woosnam, Sandy Lyle, Bradley Dredge, David Park, Anthony Wall

68 Jarrod Moseley, Soren Hansen, Robert Karlsson, Jamie Spence, Stephen Dodd, Retief Goosen Raymond Russell, Robert-Jan Derksen, Niclas Fasth, Mathias Gronberg, Peter Hedblom, Mark McNulty, Peter O’Malley, Marten Olander—Reuter