Jon Rahms four-footer for birdie at the last hole was just missing the cup. It caps a frustrating day for the home-crowd favorite at Spanish Open, and drops him two shots off the lead.
Paul Waring Stephen GallacherAt the halfway mark, they shared a lead of one shot.
Rahm was looking for a third Spanish Open title that would equal Seve Balesteros victories. He followed his lead. Opening round of 63Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, a 3-under-68.
After a slow start, he had a solid back nine and was now at 10 under overall. He was in contention for the weekend.
Rahm stated that its still an excellent position to be in. The putt on 18th was a pity but it happens, it isnt a big deal. Two shots off the lead, even though I havent played my best round of golf, is nothing.
Rahm was visibly frustrated by his game from the beginning. The world No. 6 was visibly frustrated with his game early on. Six had consecutive mishits that led him to his first bogey at the fifth hole. After a poor drive on the next hole, he could be heard cursing in Spanish.
Rahm made consecutive birdies on the 7th and 8th holes, before making two more bogeys at the 10th und 11th. He settled down and made four birdies in his next five hole before missing the four footer to close the round.
Rahm stated that Rahm played 11 holes of uncomfortable golf and then played some great golf on the remaining seven. It was frustrating because I was making good shots, but things didnt go my direction.
Waring finished at 12 under with 10 birdies and 2 bogeys in his 8under 63. His birdies were in streaks. He had three birdies in a row to begin, followed by three more holes 8-10, and four more holes 14-17.
The Englishman said, I got my putter quite hot. It was nice that I could hole a few longer ones coming in to keep that momentum going.
Gallacher shot seven birdies and one bogey in his second round of 6-under 65.
Scot stated, If I can do the same over the weekend,
Scots David DrysdaleSouth African Hennie Du PlessisHe had rounds of 64 to keep one shot off the lead at 11.
Rahm and Rahm were tied for fifth place. Kiradech AphibarnratThailand and Darius van DrielThe Netherlands. Australians were also represented at 10 below Min Woo LeeFrenchman Matthieu Pavon.
The other leader in the first round, Ashun WuThe round included six birdies and a bogey, as well as three double bogeys. In a 1-over round 72, the Chinese golfer shot 39 on his back nine. This was five shots slower than the pace.
South African Daniel van TonderHe made a hole in one on the par-3 ninth hole, a day after Daniel Gavins feat at that hole.
Tommy FleetwoodMadrids other top 30 players, including a tie for 46th, shot 2-under 69 to move up to 3 under for tournament.