Frenchman Francois Delamontagne joined Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano at the top of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the first round of the Telecom Italia Open at Castello di Tolcinasco Golf Club near Milan .
Returning to the course at 7am to complete his final four holes after the previous day’s weather suspension, Delamontagne hit his first shot into the water off the tee on the par five 15th but managed to save his par. He then birdied the 17th to move into a share of the lead on six under par 66.
Delamontagne has won his Tour card through the Qualifying School for each of the past three seasons, claiming the third card last November at San Roque. So far this season he has picked up two top 20 finishes in his first eight tournaments and lies 95th on The European Tour Order of Merit but his opening 66 is his lowest start of the year.
England's David Gilford birdied his final hole, the ninth, for a five under par 67 to lie just one shot off the pace.
Another Englishman, Steve Webster, threatened to join the leaders but double bogeyed his penultimate hole, the tough par three eighth hole guarded by water, to finish two off the pace on four under par 68.
Emanuele Canonica and amateur Edoardo Molinari, the younger brother of Francesco, lead the home challenge in the group at four under par.
