Marc Hammer posted an impressive six under par round of 66 to lead by one stroke on the opening day of the British Challenge presented by Modest! Golf Management at St. Mellion Estate.
The German carded birdies on holes three, seven, eight and nine to reach the turn four under par, before adding further gains at the 12th and 16th. A dropped shot came on the 17th, but he responded with a birdie at the last to take the outright lead.
The 24-year-old leads by one ahead of Italian Matteo Manassero who signed for a bogey free five under par round of 67, and Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell who registered two eagles on his way to a share of second place.
Hammer, who secured a maiden Challenge Tour win at the Euram Bank Open in 2022, was delighted to make a fast start on the south coast of England.
“Everything was pretty solid,” he said. “I struggled off the tee a little bit at the beginning but after that my long game felt good. My putting was a lot better than the last couple of weeks too.
“I did well to make the most of the par fives with birdies on three of them. A couple of them were quite reachable today and I was in good positions off the tee, so I was able to go for the green in two. On a tight course like this, you have to make it easier for yourself with a good tee shot.”
Hammer is being guided around St. Mellion by Ted Long, the father of fellow German professional Hurly Long, and Hammer is pleased to have experience alongside him on the testing Nicklaus Signature Course.
“He’s been on the bag quite a few times before,” he added. “He’s been my coach for about eight years now but him being here this week was quite spontaneous. I was talking about the challenge here and he said he would come along with me.
“He fist bumps everything that I do; he’s pretty supportive and it’s good to have that knowledge alongside you playing a course like this.”
Italian Renato Paratore, South African Wilco Nienaber and Englishman Josh Hilleard share fourth place on four under par with 12 players a further shot back, including South African Brandon Stone, Welshman Stuart Manley and Dane Lucas Bjerregaard.
Round two begins tomorrow at 7:30am local time with Hammer teeing it up alongside Nienaber and American Jordan Gumberg at 2:15pm.
