Ivan Cantero boosts tour card mission with strong start in Korea

Spain's Ivan Cantero made the ideal start to his bid to keep his DP World Tour card in the opening round of the Genesis Championship in Korea.

Cantero began the final week of the regular season in 117th on the Race to Dubai, with the top 114 on Sunday evening maintaining full playing privileges for next season.

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The world number 454 could have his sights set much higher however, carding seven birdies and just one bogey in a six-under-par 66 which gave him a one-shot lead over a group of seven players.

England's Richard Mansell and Scotland's Scott Jamieson were among the group on five under along with Sweden's Jonas Blixt, who had two holes to complete when play was suspended due to darkness.

Cantero enjoyed two top-six finishes earlier in the season but came into this week on the back of 13 missed cuts in his last 14 events.

"Obviously I need a good week but it's one more chance and my game is in good condition," Cantero told Sky Sports.

"I hit good drivers and on this course if you're in position it's possible to have a good score.

"Today I made putts and the last couple of weeks I missed a lot and my confidence is down all the time. Now I'm more confident with my putter and my driver."

Cantero played a practice round at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club with fellow Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, who is one of two defending champions along with Park Sang-hyun due to the merger of the DP World Tour's Korea Championship and the KPGA Tour's Genesis Championship.

Larrazabal, who won his eighth DP World Tour title here last April, is just two shots behind Cantero following a 68, with Park two strokes further back after a 70.