Day one digest: 2021 Tenerife Open

Everything you need to know from day one at Golf Costa Adeje.

Olesen picked up where he left off, Luiten had another game of chase the ace, Catlin had 59 on the brain and Rousaud made a splash on day one of the 2021 Tenerife Open.

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

Olesen plays it cool

Thorbjørn Olesen is a five time European Tour winner and Rolex Series champion but after a wrist injury and fatherhood delayed his start to the 2021 Race to Dubai, he said he was putting no expectations on himself. After setting two course records in a week, you'd think the expectations may just ramp up a touch, but the Dane was having none of it after an opening 62 gave him a one shot lead. "To be honest my expectations for this week are low as well," he said. "I was very happy to finish top five (last week), that was amazing. I haven’t been that high on a leaderboard for a very long time; being in contention again was a great feeling and something I’ve missed very much for the last few years."

Luiten makes an ace.......again

It was just a week since Joost Luiten made a hole-in-one in the opening round of the Gran Canaria Lopesan Open and he was at it again on neighbouring Tenerife. The Dutchman needed just a single blow on the second to record the 15th ace of the season and the latest in a remarkable run that has produced holes-in-one in seven consecutive events, with 11 being made across that span. Luiten also matched the feat of Tommy Fleetwood in making back to back aces after the Englishman recorded ones at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and Masters Tournament. "I hope it will become a habit but I wouldn't put any money on it," said Luiten. "It's always nice: holes-in-one and eagles and albatrosses. You never know what this game will give you, I'm just very happy and very lucky to make two in a week and hopefully we can keep it up."

Catlin flirts with history

John Catlin was already five under when he stood on the tee at the 18th, his ninth hole of the day. He then produced five birdies in a row to get to ten under after 13 and needed to pick up two more shots in his last five for a 59. He made a pair of pars but had six feet for birdie on the 16th to keep the dream very much alive. The chance went begging and a bogey bogey finish left the American - who admitted 59 was on his mind - with a 63. "It’s hard not to have 59 in your mind," he said. "You just keep pushing forward. I was still able to execute good golf shots and I had some good chances coming down there on both the par threes. The first real opportunity I’ve had at a tournament to shoot 59. I’ve had a chance, but I had to birdie like four of the last five, so to only have to birdie the last two, that definitely becomes a little more real. I didn’t get it done this time but who knows what’s going to happen in the future."

Rousaud ready to rumble

Eduard Rousaud has been on many radars for a long time. The Spaniard got to World Number Two in the amateur game and while still an amateur, he recorded top five finishes in his first two Challenge Tour events. After missing the cut in his first event as a professional on the European Tour last week, he is in no such danger on Tenerife, with nine birdies and two bogeys leaving the 20-year-old just two shots off the lead. "I just come to play golf and try to grow," he said. "I'm happy with the result, but I'm even more happy with my change in attitude. I have played with more determination and confidence in myself. In the end it is what I need, because when I play confident, the scores come out. Today I did what I had to do and I had a great time."

Ever wish you were a lefty?

We bet Joakim Lagergren did here. But planning and perseverance pays off.