Thomas Bjorn fires Wentworth PGA Championship record

Danish golfer Thomas Bjorn fired a course-record 62 to set the pace in the first round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Thursday.

Bjorn fired eight birdies and an eagle to finish 10 under to lead by two from Ireland's Shane Lowry, reports the BBC.

Rafa Cabrera-Bello took 65 and France's Gary Stal 66, while Rory McIlroy shot 68. Padraig Harrington hit 69, US Open champion Justin Rose shot 70 and Luke Donald and Lee Westwood scored 71. Another Englishman Ian Poulter also carded 70 despite being a doubtful starter with a back injury.

World number seven Sergio Garcia, however, pulled out with a knee problem after an opening 73.

Bjorn, 43, matched the nine-under 62 of Robert Karlsson in 2010, but the Swede's score was set before the West Course's recent revamp when was par 71 not 72.

He described the past week as frustrating, and added that he was surprised by his latest performance. He hoped he could maintain his concentration for the rest of the week.

The 15-time European Tour winner, who did not drop a stroke all day, reached the turn in 32 with birdies at the second, fourth and seventh.

He then added an eagle three at the 12th to birdies at the 10th, 11th, 14th, 16th and 18th.

The Dane finished his round just before a torrential downpour forced play to be suspended because of a threat of lightning.