ROMINGER SETS CHALLENGE TOUR PACE WITH A 63 IN CANARIES
FROM THE CHALLENGE TOUR WEBSITE
Martin Rominger’s superb eight under par opening round of 63 gave the Swiss the outright lead after the first round of the Fred Olsen Challenge de España at Tecina Golf in La Gomera on the Canary Islands.
Scotland's Scott Henry is three off the pace on 66.
The 33 year old Rominger was two shots clear of Spain’s Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez, Daniel Vancsik of Argentina and Domenico Geminiani, a promising 16 year old Italian.
Rominger got off to an incredible start as he birdied the first five holes at the Canary Islands venue, before another birdie at the ninth meant he reached the turn in six under 30. A further two gained shots on the 17th and 18th meant he signed for a bogey-free 66.
"I was always close,” said Rominger, whose best result on the Challenge Tour is a tied 10th finish at the 2009 Kenya Open. “I had a lot of chances and it is always nice to start with 5 birdies. I just have been playing really well in the last couple of months.
“I have my family here and a two year old girl and it’s great to be back in Europe with them having played on the Asian Tour this year. That may be one of the reasons why I am playing well here, because I have them here with me this week.
“Mentally I am doing much better now, playing more relaxed and enjoying it a lot. I am confident with my game. It seems to come easier than what it used to, I have worked a lot on all aspects of my game during the winter. I went to South Africa to get ready for the season.
“This golf course is amazing, it is really relaxing to see the ocean from every hole. I am enjoying it a lot.”
Garcia Rodriguez, who is playing his third Challenge Tour event, carded a six under par 65 which included an eagle two at the par four ninth hole. Having bogeyed the first hole, the 22 year old dropped shots at the third, sixth and seventh before his chip-in just before the turn, and further birdies at the 10th and 16th meant he enters the second day in tied second.
“I had no rhythm from the tee but then I played some holes spectacularly,” said the 23 year old. “I want to thank Carlos Rincon that is caddying for me. I think I needed someone close to me not to give me lessons but to help me put everything together at a tournament and he helped me do that.
“Last year I felt I was too far from getting into The European Tour and now I see is the place I want to be. I’m building confidence step by step. My game is a lot more complete now, I was bad with my putting but is good now so I am really happy."
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 71
63 Martin Rominger (Switzerland)
65 Domenico Geminiani (Italy), Sebastian Garcia Rodriquez (Spain), Daniel Vanczik (Argentina).
66 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (France), Luis Claverie (Spain), Scott Henry (Scotland), Jesus Legerria (Spain), Alexandre Levy (France).
OTHER SCOTS
69 Gavin Dear, Jack Doherty (T12)
71 Lloyd Saltman (T63)
72 Chris Doak (T85)
73 Callum Macaulay (T110)
75 Jamie McLeary (T122)
Martin Rominger’s superb eight under par opening round of 63 gave the Swiss the outright lead after the first round of the Fred Olsen Challenge de España at Tecina Golf in La Gomera on the Canary Islands.
Scotland's Scott Henry is three off the pace on 66.
The 33 year old Rominger was two shots clear of Spain’s Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez, Daniel Vancsik of Argentina and Domenico Geminiani, a promising 16 year old Italian.
Rominger got off to an incredible start as he birdied the first five holes at the Canary Islands venue, before another birdie at the ninth meant he reached the turn in six under 30. A further two gained shots on the 17th and 18th meant he signed for a bogey-free 66.
"I was always close,” said Rominger, whose best result on the Challenge Tour is a tied 10th finish at the 2009 Kenya Open. “I had a lot of chances and it is always nice to start with 5 birdies. I just have been playing really well in the last couple of months.
“I have my family here and a two year old girl and it’s great to be back in Europe with them having played on the Asian Tour this year. That may be one of the reasons why I am playing well here, because I have them here with me this week.
“Mentally I am doing much better now, playing more relaxed and enjoying it a lot. I am confident with my game. It seems to come easier than what it used to, I have worked a lot on all aspects of my game during the winter. I went to South Africa to get ready for the season.
“This golf course is amazing, it is really relaxing to see the ocean from every hole. I am enjoying it a lot.”
Garcia Rodriguez, who is playing his third Challenge Tour event, carded a six under par 65 which included an eagle two at the par four ninth hole. Having bogeyed the first hole, the 22 year old dropped shots at the third, sixth and seventh before his chip-in just before the turn, and further birdies at the 10th and 16th meant he enters the second day in tied second.
“I had no rhythm from the tee but then I played some holes spectacularly,” said the 23 year old. “I want to thank Carlos Rincon that is caddying for me. I think I needed someone close to me not to give me lessons but to help me put everything together at a tournament and he helped me do that.
“Last year I felt I was too far from getting into The European Tour and now I see is the place I want to be. I’m building confidence step by step. My game is a lot more complete now, I was bad with my putting but is good now so I am really happy."
FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
Par 71
63 Martin Rominger (Switzerland)
65 Domenico Geminiani (Italy), Sebastian Garcia Rodriquez (Spain), Daniel Vanczik (Argentina).
66 Michael Lorenzo-Vera (France), Luis Claverie (Spain), Scott Henry (Scotland), Jesus Legerria (Spain), Alexandre Levy (France).
OTHER SCOTS
69 Gavin Dear, Jack Doherty (T12)
71 Lloyd Saltman (T63)
72 Chris Doak (T85)
73 Callum Macaulay (T110)
75 Jamie McLeary (T122)
Labels: CHALLENGE TOUR
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Thursday, May 31, 2012
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