Javier Ballesteros, son of the late golfing great Seve, posted an impressive opening 65 in his first professional tournament over the same Sant Gugat venue where his father made his pro debut in 1974.
The 21 year old Law student, who plays off an handicap of 0.4, was tied fifth after the first round of the Peugeot Alps de Barcelona on the Alps Tour on five under par, three adrift of Spain’s Ivo Giner.
A three-time winner on the Challenge Tour, Giner looks the man to beat, especially competing on his home course.
England’s Jack Senior, who turned professional at the end of last year after a superb amateur career which included being part of the victorious Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team at Royal Aberdeen and success in the Hampshire Hog at North Hants, was one off the lead after opening with a round of 63.
Pablo Larrazabal, winner of the 2008 ALSTOM Open de France and last year’s BMW International Open, is a further shot back after a 64 alongside compatriot Carols Aguilar.
Seve made his professional debut in the 1974 at Sant Gugat and went on to win 50 European Tour events, including five Majors, inspiring a generation along the way. Javier has yet to decide whether or not he will turn professional but insists that he will finish his education before embarking on a career in the sport, on the advice of his parents.
The Alps Tour is one of Europe’s four Satellite Tours along with the EPD Tour, EuroPro Tour and the Nordic League, which form the third tier of European professional golf. The leading players from the Satellite Tours progress to the Challenge Tour.
