Day one digest: 2021 Gran Canaria Lopesan Open

Everything you need to know from day one on Gran Canaria.

A quality quartet led the way, Rafa made himself right at home, Joost was jumping for joy and he was not the only one with something to celebrate on day one of the 2021 Gran Canaria Lopesan Open.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday at Meloneras Golf.

Classy quartet lead huge chasing pack

When Joost Luiten and Joachim B. Hansen set the early target at seven under, many were thinking they may be the only people with a 63 on their card after the late winds arrived. But the breeze never came and the duo were joined by Maximilian Kieffer and Robin Roussel at the summit. Not only that but there were seven players a shot back, 13 at five under and 107 under par. This one is wide open, folks.

Rafa relishing being on home soil

Rafa Cabrera Bello has spoken of his pride at being tournament host this week and those good vibes filtered through to his game as he posted an opening 65 to sit right in the mix. There may be no fans this week due to Covid-19 protocols but the local favourite revealed he even had some socially distanced support. "I am missing a big crowd but I am feeling the support," he said. "Some of the holes close to the road had people cheering which was cool, so I want to give them a big thank you for coming out even though they are not here as normal, but they were able to see a little bit of golf."

Luiten adds to remarkable run of holes-in-one

A hole-in-one is generally regarded as a rare feat but in recent weeks on the European Tour we've been seeing them everywhere. We had two in each of the events in Kenya and then two at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play were followed by another pair at the Masters Tournament. Thomas Detry made an ace in Austria last week and on Thursday Luiten needed just one blow with a wedge at the 15th to make in ten holes-in-one in six events. "It was a perfect number for me to hit a wedge," said Luiten. "It’s tucked just over the bunker but you can use the slope, right to left, I pitched it on the slope with a bit of spin and it went in. It’s one of these bonus things that happens sometimes, it’s always nice to make a hole-in-one."

Kieffer off to a flier.......again

Kieffer lost a five hole play-off last week and he found himself in that head to head largely thanks to picking up six shots in the opening seven holes of his final round. The German could have been forgiven for having a hangover from that disappointment just four days later but he showed no signs as he bolted to five under after six. Rapid.

Perseverance always pays off

We've all hit the bunker shot that Matthias Schwab hit here. We haven't all hit the next one. Take a bow.

31 candles for Victor

Ryder Cup star, two time European Tour winner, WGC-Match Play finalist - everyone loves Victor Dubuisson and the Frenchman turned 31 as he teed it up on day one in the Canaries. Many happy returns Victor!