Jack Doherty played flawless golf on the back nine on the first morning of the D+D REAL Slovakia Challenge to post the clubhouse lead on seven under par.
The Scot came home in 30 in good scoring conditions to shoot 65 and lead by one from Daniel Gaunt, with Wil Besseling and Janne Kaske one further back on five under par.
Doherty missed the cut at his previous event, the SSE Scottish Hydro Challenge hosted by Macdonald Hotels and Resorts, but despite only arriving at the Penati Golf Resort on Wednesday night was quick to find top form.
“I only flew into Slovakia last night so I’d never played the course before – maybe I should do it more often,” he said.
“I was playing the course blind but it went pretty well. I just started hitting some iron shots nice and close. I didn’t leave myself too many long putts but I holed almost everything.
“On the back nine I was in control of my swing and never gave myself too much work to do, and I pretty much holed everything I looked at.
“It’s always strange to make a five and have your partner say ‘nice birdie!’ but I think the par six 15th is good. It’s more interesting to have things that are a bit different. It’s reachable in three for pretty much everyone though so it’s just playing like a long par five.
I was playing the course blind but it went pretty well - I holed pretty much everything I looked at
“It was really disappointing not to make it to the weekend at the Scottish Hydro. I didn’t get to play it last year and I really wanted to do well in my home event, but it wasn’t to be. So it’s great to have bounced back so quickly today.
“I’ve been playing quite nicely without really getting everything going, so it’s great to have finally shot a good round and put myself in a good spot ahead for the rounds to come.”
The 33 year old, who played on The European Tour last season, is looking for his first win as a professional and should he find it this week he would follow fellow Scot and good friend Andrew McArthur, who won the inaugural staging of this event last year.
“I’m really happy with my score but I think scoring will be quite low,” he said. “There’s a bit of space off the tees and the greens are running nicely - conditions are perfect for scoring.
“I think the winning score last year was 21 under so scoring here tends to be good, and I’ve got to keep playing well to stay up there.
“It would be great if I can follow Andrew and win this week. He’s a good mate and I’d love to make it back-to-back Scottish winners at this event.
“He’s playing in the Scottish Open on The European Tour this week, so it would be great if I can follow in his footsteps – this week the Slovakia Challenge, next year the Scottish Open.”
