Francis McGuirk, Adrian Otaegui share round one lead at D+D Real Czech Challenge Open – Golf news
After a day that saw 94 players shooting level par or better, Francis McGuirk of England and Spaniard Adrian Otaegui came out of the field as the co-leaders of the D+D Real Czech Challenge Open, on Thursday, June 6, 2013.
Starting on the back nine of the course, McGuirk drained birdie putts on the 14th, 16th and the 18th hole and reached the turn in three under.
He then picked up pace and birdied four of the first six holes on the front nine, before finishing his round with another gain on the ninth hole, to take the clubhouse lead at Golf & Spa Kunetická Hora.
“You could say it might’ve been better but when you hole a couple of 25-footers they are always a bonus,” said McGuirk. “But I’m always going to take eight under. It’s definitely up there with my best rounds; I actually think it might be my lowest tournament round so I’m thrilled of course.”
Later in the day, Otaegui also joined him on the top, courtesy of his nine birdies against a lone bogey.
Like McGuirk, he also started his opening round campaign on the back nine of the course and added shots to his scorecard on the 11th and the 14th hole, before recording a hat-trick of birdies, starting from the 16th hole.
He then gained another shot on the second hole, followed by his only blemish of the day on third. Thereafter, he bounced back strongly with three birdies on the last five holes that he played.
“I played well from tee to green and made quite a few long putts which is always pleasing,” said Otaegui, who grew up under the mentorship by triumphant 2012 Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal. “But my game was good in general and I’m obviously very happy with making such a great start.”
Korea’s Sihwan Kim and Spaniard Carlos Aguilar, in the meantime, shared the third spot on the leaderboard, after each recorded a seven under par 65, while a group of six players managed to share the fifth position by finishing a further stroke back.
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