There were some sterling performances in the first round of the Apulia San Domenico Grand Final from those players needing a big result this week to earn promotion to The European Tour.
Dutchman Wil Besseling opened with a six under par 65 at San Domenico Golf in southern Italy, boosting his chances of rising from his current position of 29th to within the top 21 in the Rankings who will earn a European Tour card for next season’s Race to Dubai.
Chris Lloyd also made a strong start, carding a 65, and at 27th the Englishman is aiming to make a late jump and qualify for a rookie season at golf’s top table.
There were also some excellent performances from players further down the Rankings, hoping to sneak into the top 21 with a last-ditch victory. Matteo Delpodio was one of those, carding a 65, as was James Busby, who was the 45th and final player to qualify for the event and opened with a 66.
Scotsman Raymond Russell is the man currently one spot away from graduating, but he began with an encouraging five under par 66 to sit two shots off the lead held jointly by Marco Crespi Michael Lorenzo-Vera and Michael Lorenzo-Vera Marco Crespi.
Daniel Vancsik, in 21st, did his chances of hanging onto his place – or improving on it – no harm with a flawless first round 65 which included four birdies and an eagle.
At the top, Rankings leader Kristoffer Broberg carded a two under par 69, second-placed Andreas Hartø struggled to a one over par 72 and third-placed Gary Lockerbie signed for a 66.
