Felipe Aguilar, Gary Stal and Morten Orum Madsen lead the Open de Espana after the opening round in Valencia on Thursday. The trio all carded rounds of 68 to be four under at the close of play, one stroke clear of the chasing bunch at Parador de El Saler. Chilean Aguilar, who is aiming to win his first European title since 2008, bogeyed twice during his first nine holes but was faultless on the back nine with three birdies. “This course is playing very nicely – especially in the morning with very little wind,” said Aguilar. “The conditions are absolutely fantastic. “It&aposs a very difficult golf course if you miss the fairways off the tee; as long as you keep it on the fairway off the tee you get pretty good chances. The greens are rolling really nicely. “Four under is a good score anywhere, so I&aposm quite happy with it.” Stal of France was even better during his opening round, putting four birdies without a bogey. Denmark&aposs Madsen, who started from the back nine, birdied three of his final six holes to claim a share of the lead. David Higgins shot a three-under-par 69 to be one shot off the pace. The Irishman was joined by Lee Craig, Joakim Lagergren, Robert-Jan Derksen, Matthew Southgate, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, Joel Sjoholm and Daniel Brooks heading into the second day of play. Welshman Phillip Price bogeyed his final hole but done enough to be in a share of 12th position, two shots behind the leaders. Anthony Snobeck, Richard Finch, Edoardo Molinari, Jose Manuel Lara, Magnus A Carlsson, Peter Uihlein, Marc Warren, Eddie Pepperell, David Howell and Simon Wakefield all fired rounds of 70 to join Price on two under. It wasn&apost a great day for the Australians with Richard Green and Matthew Zions the best of the bunch in equal 60th place on one over.
Author: Omnisport