Day one digest: 2021 DS Automobiles Italian Open

Everything you need to know from Thursday at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

There was nothing separating Henrik Stenson, Kalle Samooja and Min Woo Lee at the top of the leaderboard on day one of the 2021 DS Automobiles Italian Open, while both Molinari brothers shone on home soil.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

Eight in a row for Arnaus

Starting from the tenth tee on Thursday, Adri Arnaus put on quite a show on his front nine. After opening with a par, the Spaniard proceeded to go on a huge birdie run, making eight in a row to reach the turn in 28. This, of course, raised hopes of a 59 but he was unable to keep the momentum going on his back nine and went on to sign for a 66 which left him two shots off the lead.

Edoardo Molinari makes an ace

When local favourite Edoardo Molinari made a remarkable hole-in-one at the par three seventh hole, he not only wowed the crowds but bagged himself a brand new car. After finding the green with his tee shot, Molinari watched on as his ball climbed over a ridge and rolled straight into the cup. Well done Edoardo!

Stenson's incredible form continues

Ryder Cup hopeful Stenson came into this week's event in sparkling form, having followed up his share of fourth place in the D+D Real Czech Masters with a third place finish at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club last week. And he was playing some of his very best stuff again on Thursday as a bogey free 64 gave him a share of the lead.

Moliwood reunion

Ryder Cup stars and good friends Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari were reunited in Rome as they played in the same group on Thursday afternoon. The Englishman looked as though he might catch the co-leaders at one stage, after making six birdies and no bogeys over the first 12 holes. But a double bogey on the short 17th derailed his challenge before a closing birdie got him to five under. Molinari, meanwhile, carded three birdies and a bogey to sit on two under.

Højgaard drives the 11th green

Last week's Omega European Masters winner Rasmus Højgaard opted to go for the green with his tee shot at the par four 11th and he absolutely nailed it. How good was this?