Ashun Wu Leads Omega European Masters After Flawless 63

Ashun Wu shot a 7-under 63 to take a one-shot lead after Thursday’s opening round of the Omega European Masters in Crans-Montana.

The 41-year-old made seven birdies on the par-70 Severiano Ballesteros Course at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, matching his lowest DP World Tour round in almost four years.

Defending champion Thriston Lawrence, Ángel Ayora, Shubhankar Sharma, Nicolai von Dellingshausen and Todd Clements share second place after rounds of 64.

Wu arrived in Switzerland 127th in the Race to Dubai Rankings and needs to enter the top-100 to retain his playing privileges for 2027. The five-time DP World Tour winner has struggled for consistency this season, but his record at altitude includes top-10 finishes here in 2017 and 2018.

“I was very happy to come back here, to play the tournament, and what a lovely place,” Wu said. “Everything was going pretty well [with my game].”

Wu’s Putting Secures the Lead

Wu birdied the 2nd before closing his outward nine with three successive gains. He remained two behind the clubhouse lead at that stage, then opened the back nine with three pars.

A 53-foot birdie putt at the par-3 13th put Wu in contention. Further birdies at the par-5 14th and 15th moved him into the outright lead, and he completed his bogey-free card with three pars.

Wu spent the DP World Tour’s summer break working with his coach in the United States. His latest title came at the 2025 Volvo China Open, where a late run of five back-nine birdies secured victory in Shanghai.

“I feel a lot better with my swing, and I am just looking forward to playing another couple of rounds,” he said.

Lawrence Heads a Crowded Chasing Group

Lawrence threatened to set a strong clubhouse target after making six birdies on the front nine. He found no further gains after the turn, but saved par at the par-5 14th after sending his original tee shot out of bounds.

The South African is seeking his third Omega European Masters title. Victory would make him the first player since Severiano Ballesteros to win the event three times during its DP World Tour era, which began in 1972.

Ayora also completed a bogey-free 64, making four birdies across his final six holes. Sharma recorded three birdies on each nine, while Clements combined an eagle and six birdies with two bogeys.

Von Dellingshausen recovered from an opening bogey and eagled the 14th during his 64. The German, who claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the 2025 Austrian Alpine Open, played through back discomfort over the closing holes.

Eugenio Chacarra, Harry Hall, Jack Yule, Jeremy Paul and Nicklas Lemke finished another shot back at 5-under.

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