Adan Sowa and Gary Wolstenholme tore up the front nine at La Quinta Golf and Country Club as they took to the top of the leaderboard in the early stages of the first round of the Benahavis Senior Masters.
At the sun-kissed resort in the South of Spain, Sowa carded for a superb eagle two at the par four third hole before three consecutive birdies beginning at the eight hole left the Argentinian five under through 15.
Wolstenholme was also on a hot streak under the Spanish sun as he carded birdies on the second and fourth holes before emulating Sowa with three birdies in a row, although his came on the seventh, eighth and ninth, to enter the back nine on five under.
The Englishman is on a good run of form and finished third at the last event, the Belas Clube de Campo Senior Open de Portugal, having been in contention until the final stretch.
He is still chasing his first win of the 2011 season, having won his maiden title at the 2010 Casa Serena Open, and remains in line for the Rookie of the Year award in his first full season on the Senior Tour, despite Mark Mouland’s win in Portugal launching him back into contention for the award.
Manuel Piñero, the designer of the course at La Quinta, was putting his inside knowledge to good use as he was tied fifth, one shot behind Bobby Lincoln of South Africa, on one under through 12.
Barry Lane had a difficult start as he was one over through nine holes while Carl Mason was level par through nine holes.
