Nitties makes European Tour history with 9 consecutive birdies

James Nitties has claimed a place in the history books after he made a spectacular world record-equalling nine consecutive birdies on day one of the ISPS Handa Vic Open.

The home favourite's incredible run from the 15th to the 5th matched the feat first accomplished by 1989 Open Championship winner Mark Calcavecchia, who birdied the 12th to the second at the 2009 Canadian Open on the US PGA Tour.

Austrian Bernd Wiesberger made nine birdies in a row at the 2017 Maybank Championship but with preferred lies in play on that occasion, Nitties' run of gains made him the first player to officially do it on the European Tour.

"I'm pumped," said Nitties. "I don't hold any other world records that I know of, so to be a part of one is pretty cool.

"I had a good chance for that tenth birdie but I didn't want to break it. It's such a longstanding record, I wouldn't do that to Mark, so it's good to hold it with him."

The 36 year old fired a 64 to equal the course record over the Beach course at 13th Beach Golf Club and incredibly double-bogeyed the 14th before going on his remarkable run.

"I definitely have the world record for best bounce-back stat because I holed the nine birdies and I preceded it with a double-bogey," he said. "It was a good way to turn around a double-bogey.

"I was a little peeved off that I made double from the middle of the fairway and followed up with a couple of birdies and then rattled off about seven or eight more - it's pretty special."

He is tied for second on 8 under par, fellow Australian Nick Flanagan leads on 10 under par.

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