Fredrik Jacobson, who came within a stroke of breaking the 60 barrier in Germany earlier this season, chose one of Europe’s most demanding challenges to go low once more with an eight under par 64 in the first round of the Volvo Masters Andalucia at Club de Golf Valderrama.
The Swede opened up a two stroke lead over Denmark’s Anders Hansen, who launched the 2003 event accompanied only by a scorer at 8.55am and two and a half hours later had signed for an accomplished six under par 66. With the leaders going off in the final pairing for the second round, Hansen will find he has gone from first to last in the space of 18 holes.
For a time it appeared that Hansen’s impressive effort might even stand up all day as the Costa del Sol breeze whipped up later in the afternoon but Jacobson, currently 15th on the Volvo Order of Merit after an outstanding season which includes two victories, had other ideas.
After four birdies in an outward 32, Jacobson had five in the space of six holes between the 12th and 17th, his card marred only slightly by a solitary bogey at the 15th, as he notched up one of the finest scores around Valderrama, only two outside Bernhard Langer’s record 62.
Jacobson shot 60 in the first round of the Linde German Masters and is enjoying a rich season of low scoring. He said: “They were both great rounds but coming close to 59 was something special, so I have to regard that as the more special moment. But with the conditions getting difficult in windy, I never expected to shoot such a low score today.”
Hansen had signed for his score, conducted his media conference and lunched before Jacobson teed off and admitted: “I thought Anders was going to have a few shots lead today. I think he took advantage of the greens when they were a little better.”
Hansen, winner of the Volvo PGA Championship in 2002, finished tied 15th in the Telefonica Open de Madrid on Sunday to finish in 60th position on the Volvo Order of Merit to be eligible for the Volvo Masters Andalucia.
He said: “I had a fairly good idea I was going to be out first after finishing in 60th place. It wasn’t a surprise at all. I had the choice of playing with a marker but decided to go with only a scorer. I don’t think she could keep up with me! I once went round in two hours in a two-ball in Denmark but not on The European Tour.
“I was afraid that I might go out and just play too quickly but actually I felt I was keeping things together pretty well. I kept my concentration level pretty high and didn’t rush things too much. Two hours and 30 minutes is pretty quick around Valderrama!”
Spain’s Carlos Rodiles moved into third place on 68, four under par, assisted by a 15 foot eagle putt on the 11th and a ten footer for birdie at the 12th. Three putts from ten feet cost him his only bogey at the 17th but he said: “That is probably my steadiest round of the whole year, except for the mistake on the 17th. You learn how to handle these things and control your emotions and I think I am better prepared for it now. “
At the end of the day, 13 players out of 57 starters broke par, two of them being Spanish favourites José Maria Olazábal (70) and Sergio Garcia (71).
