Martin Simonsen set the pace on day one of the D+D REAL Czech Challenge after an opening round of 64 at Golf & Spa Kunětická Hora.
The Dane finished fourth at last week’s Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A and continued his good form in the Czech Republic with an opening bogey-free six under par.
The 30-year-old began his round on the back nine and made a hot start with birdies at the tenth and 11th holes before claiming another birdie at the par 3 17th.
Further success came shortly after the turn, gaining strokes at the first and third, before an important par save at the par four eighth ahead of a closing birdie.
“It would’ve been an unfortunate bogey on eight,” Simonsen said. “I was playing pretty good but then I hit one of the worst shots I hit all day, and then a terrible chip, so it was nice to hole a six footer for par. Then making a long one on 9 was nice.
“I hit it really close on the first two holes, but nothing happened after that until the 17th. Then it was par golf before I started to get it going again. I would’ve taken that score this morning, so I’m very happy.
“If you’re three feet off the fairways you get crazy fliers, but it could also come out completely dead, so hitting the fairways is key this week.
“It’s not as windy as the last week because that was stormy weather. The breeze is maybe a club to a club and half once in a while, but other than that it’s perfect. It’s a nice temperature which means I don’t have to wear four layers and a beanie hat this week, so I’m pleased.”
Germany’s Jonas Kölbing is a shot behind Simonsen after recording a five under par 65, while fellow Dane Nicolai Kristensen and Javier Sainz, who won in Scotland, share second place two shots behind on four under par. A group of six players share fourth on three under par.
