Stephen Dodd and Jose Manuel Lara share first round lead in Sicilian Open of European Tour
The first round of the Sicilian Open being played at the picturesque par-71 Donnafugata Golf Resort concluded yesterday. It was veteran Stephen Dodd from Wales who climbed on top of the leader board and is tied with Spaniard Jose Manuel
Lara. Both golfers finished their first round with a score of six-under par, 65.
The Welsh Dodd was impressive with his tee shots and putting. His scorecard shows an eagle, six birdies followed up by two bogeys. The two drop shots came on hole number 9 and 11. Both these holes were long par-4’s and tough ones to
get scores from. He eagled the long par-5, 16th where his approach shot landed just inside 10 feet of the hole.
The Welshman was quite satisfied with the way he played. The 44-year old veteran only has three European Tour victories under his belt and is confident of improving the record. He last won a tournament five years back and is hoping to
end his title drought.
Dodd after playing the first round said, "I did a lot of good things out there today. I kept in play most of the time, hit some good iron shots and I putted well which is always a key for any good round."
As for Lara, he made an impressive nine birdies on the first day. The Spaniard was hitting the ball well and smoothly stroking the ball on the green. He lost three shots during his round, which also included a bogey and a disastrous double-bogey. The tough
par-4, fourth really troubled him as his drive was completely wayward. He also missed the green and had to be content with a double-bogey.
The 33-year-old Spaniard was satisfied with his overall performance as he looked impressive with his hot putter. He was confident about his swing which was in complete momentum on the first day. Lara is hoping to continue his birdie streak through all three
rounds to lift his third European Tour title.
Two players are tied for the third spot with a first round score of five-under par, 66. Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin and England’s Anthony Wall carded were impressive on the first day and trail by a margin of just a single stroke over the leaders.
Raphael was flawless with his hitting and posted five birdies on his card. He had no bogey for his round and made a few long putts of birdies on the back-nine. The 36-year-old from France is an experienced player and has two European Tour victories in his
career.
Wall also had a steady round of five-under par and carded six birdies for his round. He had to drop a shot on the par-4, 14th where his approach shot to the green was wayward. The Englishman was happy with his overall performance and is hoping
to continue playing in the same manner during the next three days.
The second round of the championship will commence today and some more under-par scores are expected from the top players.
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