Richard Mansell finished with a record-breaking flourish to earn some extra reward from his first weekend action of the season at the 2026 Nexo Championship.
Mansell claimed the Course Record Presented By Nexo at Trump International Golf Links, and the accompanying $10,000 bonus prize, with a round of 65 featuring six birdies and an eagle.
On the DP World Tour's second visit to the Aberdeenshire course, Mansell beat the mark of 66 set by Grant Forrest last year and matched this week by Shaun Norris on Saturday and Jacob Skov Olesen a short time earlier on Sunday.
"I was (aware), to be honest," he said afterwards.
"It was obviously the friendliest conditions today, I knew it was six (under) - that actually did surprise me, but I guess we normally play here and it's just terrible conditions. It felt friendlier today and I did think it was on.
"I had a little bit of fortune through the middle of the round but obviously I had a good chance on 17, which missed. I thought I actually made eagle on the last as well, but it was obviously a great day."
Rounds of 71 and 75 on Thursday and Friday may not have put Mansell in contention for a win but did at least mean a first made cut of a year heavily interrupted by injury.
The Englishman shot level par on Saturday and responded to a dropped shot at Sunday's third hole with three straight birdies into the turn, an eagle three at the tenth and three further birdies.
He almost eagled the last with a superbly-judged putt from off the front of the green and over a bank, but a tap-in birdie was enough to claim the record.
"I got very, very lucky on eight and nine," he said. "Hole nine has had me all week.
"I hit it right on eight and was fortunate enough to get a free drop from a plugged ball, and I got it on the green and I've holed like a 50-footer over the mounds.
"Got on nine, I hit it right again, I thought I'd lost it - turns out it wasn't, it opened up and then I hit it to 80 foot and holed that one, so back to back.
"And then I got on ten and I holed out from 105 yards, so I could have played those holes in over par and I was four under! If that just doesn't sum up golf... you've got to laugh sometimes. But I will take it."
Mansell had not made the weekend in his four previous events since withdrawing from January's Dubai Invitational, with two serious injuries affecting his season.
"It's been really difficult. I ruptured my ankle first, then had hip surgery. I chose to come back early, I knew it was going to be difficult. Obviously winning last year, I have an exemption next year.
"I thought it was going to be easier than it was, I missed my first three cuts by a shot and it's been difficult - I've had a couple of team members go separate ways, hence my manager's on the bag this week.
"I just feel in a really good spot, this is my first time playing four rounds and my body feels good, which is a massive positive for me.
"Looking forward to getting home to my wife and son - new-born son, which has been amazing - so a really life-changing year and just loads of perspective.
"But yeah, first time this year playing four rounds, which is great, and just really looking forward to the rest of the year and onwards from there. A good finish this week, that's obviously a step in the right direction."
