Andrey Pavlov has recorded the second-worst score for a single hole in European Tour history, taking 17 on the 1st in the second round of the Lyoness Open in Austria.
The Russian, who was at the tournament by invitation and who scored 71 in the first round, landed in the water six times on the 506-yard par-five opening hole and joins Chris Gane, who scored 17 on a hole at Gleneagles in 2003, on a list that no golfer wants to belong to.
The 28-year-old finished 26 over at this event 12 months ago and is playing his first European Tour event of the year.
As Pavlov sloped around Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg for the rest of his round he could at least take comfort in the knowledge that Philippe Porquier’s 20 at the 1978 French Open is still considered the biggest single-hole shambles in European Tour history.
Porquier’s unerring inability to land the ball on the green at La Baule Golf Course’s 13th, including numerous shanks here and there and a lost ball for good measure, led to a sorry record that will take some beating.
Pavlov eventually signed for an 18-over 90, missing the cut for the 15th time in 15 attempts on both the European and Challenge Tours.
The overnight leader Grégory Bourdy continued where he left off on day one with a composed 67 on round two to take a five-shot lead at 12 under.
