Day one digest: Italian Open 

Everything you need to know from day one in Rome.

Flying Finns, some local culture and a touch of wizardry with the big stick were all on display as the Italian Open got under way at Olgiata Golf Club.

Here is everything you need to know from the start of of the fifth Rolex Series event of the season.

Pulkkanen the flawless Finn

After topping the European Challenge Tour Rankings in 2017 with the help of a victory at the Kazakhstan Open, Tapio Pulkkanen made a seamless transition onto the European Tour, finishing third in just his second event as a member at the Joburg Open. On Thursday he went one better than his opening 65 in Johannesburg for his lowest ever opening round and in the process matched his lowest total in any round with a 64. The bogey free effort got him to seven under and handed him a one shot lead as he looks for a first victory in his 57th event. "I think the first year was a learning year," he said. "Second year has been more comfortable being here. I haven't played that well in the Rolex tournaments, so it's kind of new situation as well, but it's a long way to go and I feel good about my game."

Kitayama kicking on

Kurt Kitayama's start to life on Tour has been nothing sort of spectacular. Having made just one previous appearance in 2018, he won his second event after coming through the Qualifying School in Mauritius and then made it two wins from 11 starts in Oman. He has not recorded a top ten since then but after finishing in the top 20 at the BMW PGA Championship, a bogey free 66 on Thursday showed he is getting used to life in the Rolex Series. "I just try and use those past experiences from the wins," he said. "Obviously this is a bigger event. Just stay present, go one shot at a time, not think about it being a Rolex Series event and just stay relaxed as much as I can."

Beef gets his foot down

Upon his arrival in Rome, Andrew Johnston tweeted that his biggest worry of the week might be looking after his rental car on the Italian roads.

Well he certainly had nothing else to bother him after an opening 67 but he's refusing to take his motoring fortunes for granted. "It's so hard driving here," he said. "It was still hard at 5.00am this morning. It's crazy but I'm doing all right so far. I'm getting closer to Sunday, no scratches."

Bob goes boom

Robert MacIntyre is winning himself lots of fans with his brilliant debut season on Tour and he'll have won a few more with this. Who doesn't love a driver off the deck? And what a result.

Eddie goes gastro

One man who already has lots of fans is Eddie Pepperell and it's largely due to things like this. How's the red, Ed?