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 Austria Open.

The Russian, who was at the tournament by invite and who scored a very decent 71 in the first round, landed in the water six times on the 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.

As Pavlov sloped around Diamond Country Club for the rest of his round he could at least take comfort from 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.

(Guardian service)