Finn takes Italian Open lead with a seven-under 64

ROME (AP) — Tapio Pulkkanen of Finland matched his career-best score on the European Tour with a 7-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead Thursday after the first round of the Italian Open.
Pulkkanen, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour last season, sank seven birdies and didn't have any bogeys at the Olgiata Golf Club.
"It's a very tough, demanding, long golf course, narrow," Pulkkanen said. "You've got to hit some shots out there. I had a nice start, 3-under after five, and that got me going. It was nice to make a couple more on the back nine."