Day one digest: Mutuactivos Open de España

Everything you need to know from day one in Madrid.

A career best, some home brilliance and golfers giving back were all part of the story on day one of the Mutuactivos Open de España.

Here is everything you need to know from day one in Madrid.

Handsome day for Johannessen

Life is not always easy as a rookie on the European Tour. After earning the 20th card at the Qualifying School last year, Norway's Kristian Krogh Johannessen missed his first nine cuts before making the weekend at the Made in Denmark presented by FREJA. He would then make three of his next seven, with more Scandinavian success coming as he achieved a season's best tie for 40th in Sweden. On Thursday he took all of that to another level, however, with a career best 63 on the European Tour that handed him a two shot lead at eight under. "I’m out there having fun and playing smart," he said. "It’s a tricky course, but I’ve got a friend on the bag this week and we’re having fun out there. If you get stressed you start easily making mistakes. I just need to keep cool and play my own game."

Arnaus goes low for a good cause

Adri Arnaus' golf has got him plenty of attention since he graduated from the European Challenge Tour, achieving three second place finishes already in his rookie campaign. An opening 65 in his homeland put him well on course to possibly go one better this week but he was not the only one gaining from his five birdies and an eagle. The home favourite has decided to donate €100 for every birdie and €300 for every eagle this week to Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús - a children's hospital in Madrid - meaning it is already €800 better off. "I thought there would be no better idea than to do something like this at my home tournament," he said. "It’s all for a good cause and I was really happy to make those birdies out there and it’s something I’ll do again in future."

Home heroes thrive

Arnaus was grouped with fellow Spaniards Rafa Cabrera Bello and Jon Rahm for day one and they gave the crowds something to cheer. As well as Arnaus carding a 65, Cabrera Bello and Rahm both signed for rounds of 66 to put themselves right in the mix, and defending champion Rahm was loving being back in front of a home crowd in an all Spanish group. "We all got it going and once we made the turn, everyone was there," he said. "Every time you’re hitting shots, even if you’re missing you’re getting a lot of words of encouragement. It’s a great atmosphere."

Siem back in the groove

Marcel Siem has enjoyed a very successful European Tour career, with four wins coming from his 444 appearances so far. It was 19 years ago at this very venue that he made his professional bow, finishing in the top 20, and he was impressive again on Thursday. After losing his playing privileges last season, he matched his lowest round of the 2019 Race to Dubai to get to five under with a bogey free 66. "It was pretty cool on Tuesday coming down here and those memories, it was nice," he said. "I played decent as well - a 21-year-old on a tournament invitation - it was great, I've got great memories and I love this place."