Thomas Bjorn equalled the course record with a 10-under 62 at Wentworth on Thursday on the opening day of the European Tour’s PGA Championship.

The 43-year-old Dane had an eagle and eight birdies on the West Course. He finished his round moments before play was briefly halted because of the threat of lightning. Play resumed about 45 minutes later.

“On this golf course, you shoot great rounds of golf in your career, but to shoot 62 on this golf course, you can’t ask for much more,” Bjorn said.

Bjorn’s score matched the record set by Robert Karlsson in 2010, when the course was a par 71.

Last week, Bjorn missed the cut at Spanish Open with scores of 75 and 78.

“Last week was awful, and I was starting to feel a bit frustrated with things, and to be honest in practice, it hasn’t been great, either,” Bjorn said. “So to go out on this golf course of all places and play like I did today is a little bit surprising.”

Justin Walters (67) and David Horsey (68) were trailing Bjorn with many still out on the course.