Cristobal Del Solar took an early commanding lead at the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard, shooting a bogey-free 10-under-par 61 on the Lagos Course. His performance came after a historic first round in which he set the PGA TOUR scoring record with a 57 on the Pacos Course. The tournament, which faces a one-day delay due to darkness suspending play at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday, will see the remaining seven players resume their opening rounds Friday morning, with the second round tee times unchanged.
Del Solar’s impressive 61 places him three strokes ahead of runner-up Robby Shelton, establishing him as the Cristobal Del Solar Leader after round one.
A Closer Look at Del Solar’s Record-Breaking Rounds
Del Solar’s first-round 57 on the Pacos Course was historic, setting the lowest 18-hole score ever recorded in any PGA TOUR-sanctioned event. His subsequent round of 61 on the Lagos Course marks his second-best score in his professional career and his best on that particular course. This paired performance has propelled him to a 10-under total for the tournament, underscoring his prowess and consistency on the course.
Throughout his career, Del Solar has held five 18-hole leads or co-leads on the PGA TOUR, including this week’s tournament where he is seeking to better his previous fifth-place finish at the same event last year. Currently in his fourth appearance at the Astara Golf Championship, Del Solar continues to build his reputation on this Korn Ferry Tour stop.
Del Solar’s Journey and Career Highlights
Originally from Viña del Mar, Chile, Del Solar now resides in Jupiter, Florida. Turning professional in 2017, he has played across several tours, including PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, and the Korn Ferry Tour, before earning his PGA TOUR card for the 2025 season by finishing No. 14 on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List.
Del Solar’s notable victories include winning the 2024 Ascendant presented by Blue on the Korn Ferry Tour and the 2022 Volvo Golf Championship at Club El Rincón de Cajicá in Bogotá by a single shot over Mitchell Meissner. Before turning pro, he was a standout at Florida State University, receiving All-America Third Team honors in 2017 and All-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition in both 2016 and 2017.
Top Contenders Chasing Del Solar’s Lead
Robby Shelton, a four-time Korn Ferry Tour winner, sits in second place at 7-under-par after a flawless bogey-free 64, marking his best 18-hole performance at the Astara Golf Championship. Shelton, ranked 40th on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, is closely pursuing Del Solar’s lead.
Several other players share third place at 6-under-par after shooting 65s, including Ashton Van Horne, Norman Xiong, Martin Laird, Hunter Eichhorn, and Vicente Marzilio. Van Horne, returning from a medical extension, recorded his first start on the Tour since the 2025 Tulum Championship despite a bogey at the sixth hole.
Norman Xiong recorded eight birdies against two bogeys in his opening round and has two Korn Ferry Tour victories to his name. Martin Laird, with four PGA TOUR wins including the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, matched his best score of 65 for the season. Hunter Eichhorn opened the 2026 season strongly with a bogey-free 65, while new Korn Ferry member Vicente Marzilio posted a bogey-free score in his tournament debut.
Noteworthy Performances and Season Outlook
Ian Holt, who made history with two wins early in the Korn Ferry Tour season, currently stands tied for 38th at 2-under-par after shooting a 69. A third victory this season would earn Holt an automatic promotion to the PGA TOUR under the Three-Victory Promotion rule.
Kyle Westmoreland, defending champion of the Astara Golf Championship, also posted a 2-under 69, aiming to replicate or improve upon his 2025 title where he began with a 70. Ricardo Celia, a conditional member from Barranquilla, Colombia, faced some challenges late in his round but remains in contention.
Five-time PGA TOUR winner Camilo Villegas, making his third appearance at this event, shot a 3-over 74 and is looking to build momentum for the rest of the season after narrowly missing out on direct PGA TOUR qualification at Q-School.
How to Follow the Astara Golf Championship and Player Insights
The Astara Golf Championship, supported by Mastercard, continues to be a premier event on the Korn Ferry Tour schedule, showcasing the talents of promising players like Cristobal Del Solar and others vying for PGA TOUR status. Fans can keep track of live scores via the tournament’s leaderboard and access detailed player stats to follow daily developments.
The resumption of first-round play Friday morning promises an exciting conclusion to the opening day, with players pushing to complete their rounds and set up their positions for the weekend competitions.
Significance and Future Implications of Del Solar’s Lead
Cristobal Del Solar’s dominant start at the Astara Golf Championship reinforces his growing reputation as a formidable competitor on the Korn Ferry Tour and hints at his potential impact on the PGA TOUR in the near future. Setting the scoring record in the first round and maintaining a clean card in the second highlights his skill and mental toughness under pressure.
As the tournament progresses, Del Solar will aim to convert this strong opening into a victory, which could be pivotal for his rise in the FedExCup standings and career trajectory. Meanwhile, his challengers, including Shelton and the tied group at 6-under, will strive to close the gap and inject more intensity into the competition.
With multiple day’s rounds ahead, the Astara Golf Championship remains tightly contested and unpredictable, reflecting both the pressure and opportunity inherent in Korn Ferry Tour events that serve as a gateway to golf’s elite level.
