Edoardo Molinari charged to the top of the clubhouse leaderboard at the Celtic Manor Wales Open after a flawless first round of seven under par 64 over the Twenty Ten Course at the Celtic Manor Resort.
The Italian, a 2007 European Challenge Tour graduate, was in sensational form as he carded seven birdies and 11 pars over the 7352 yard par 71 venue that will host The 2010 Ryder Cup.
Molinari leads India’s Jeev Milkha Singh and Spain’s Alvaro Velasco by a single shot at the top of the clubhouse leaderboard, with England’s Ross Fisher two strokes back on four under and Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie carding a two under 69.
“I played very well from tee to green today,” said Molinari. “I think I only missed two drives, on the eighth and ninth holes, but on the ninth I had a good lie so I could go for the green and make birdie. On eight, I just chipped it out and hit a very good shot to six feet, five feet and holed the putt for par.
“I drove the ball well, and today my putting was very good. I've been playing quite well since the Spanish Open, which was a month ago, but I have not been putting well. Especially two weeks ago in Ireland I was playing really well and wasn't holing anything. So finally today I hole some putts, a couple of long ones, as well, like 25 - 30 footers, which always help the score along.”
