After a week of wet weather in Italy, Golf Club Milano was playing soft on day one of the OPEN D'ITALIA presented by DAMIANI. 99 of the 156 players in the field broke par today but the headlines were all about one man. He features often and early in our Day In Numbers recap.
63 - Low score of the day from Nicolas Colsaerts. One shot off his lowest ever European Tour round and enough for a two shot lead after day one.
316 - Colsaerts' driving distance during round one, longer than any other player in the field.
22 - Putts for the 32 year old, two fewer than any other player.
8
- Birdies in a row for the Belgian from the 14th hole. Only ten other players in European Tour history have made eight consecutive birdies.
30 - Years ago Seve Ballesteros was the first of those ten men when he birdied eight holes in a row at the 1985 Italian Open.
25 - Years since the Open d'Italia was last staged here at Golf Club Milano. That year Richard Boxall won by five shots over José María Olazábal.
491 - European Tour starts for Costantino Rocca. This week will be his last. The 58 year old is the most successful Italian golfer ever with five European Tour wins and 76 top tens.
120 - Shots under par for Anders Hansen in 37 career rounds at the Open d'Italia. The Dane shot an opening round 68 today.
310 - Holes without an eagle for Matthew Nixon before today. The Englishman made two in the space of three holes on his front nine en route to an opening 67.
74 - Per cent of the field made birdie or better at the par five 14th hole.
57 - Per cent of Fantasy Race To Dubai users selected Martin Kaymer in their team this week, more than any other player. Danny Willett was the second most popular pick at 43 per cent.
70.6- Scoring average on a soft day in Milan. 99 players broke par. 57 broke 70.
