Haotong Li and Joakim Lagergren share the lead after the first round of the Porsche European Open. Both players scored a 67 (-5) on the Porsche North Course under difficult conditions.
Despite the sunshine in the afternoon, the seventh edition of the Porsche European Open welcomed the top international field with a tricky starting task.
The long Porsche North Course (7,057 meters) with its demanding rough and many water hazards was anything but easy after the rain on Wednesday and the wind that picked up again and again on Thursday.
This also created difficulties for some top golfers – while others in the field took advantage of the opportunity.
This included the Chinese Haotong Li, who topped the leaderboard with a strong round of 67 (-5) in the morning.
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“I feel great, despite the difficult conditions, and I’m very satisfied,” said Li, who only recorded one bogey with six birdies at the same time. “Tomorrow I’m just going to relax and carry on like this.”
In addition to the 26-year-old Chinese, decorated with two victories on the DP World Tour, the Swede Joakim Lagergren took the lead late in the evening.
As one of the best of the day, he was allowed to drive to the hotel in the Leader’s Car. “I’ve already seen the car in photos and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Lagergren.
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German quartet off to a solid start
From a German point of view, the talents Freddy Schott and Matti Schmid convinced. With laps of 70 (-2), both placed just behind the leading group and shared eleventh place alongside defending champion Marcus Armitage from England.
“You have to fight here to play a good round,” said Schmid after the round.
“I want to play the same game tomorrow as I did today, hit a lot of greens and create as many chances as possible.”
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Freddy Schott went “happy from the 18th. I approached it very strategically and rather defensively. Also because I know what dangers are lurking around the greens here.”
Marcel Siem was also satisfied. With his hand injury, the 41-year-old says he feels at 90 percent. That was enough for a 71 and a shared 21st place.
“It wasn’t easy out there today and the course played for a very, very long time. But I’m very satisfied, I stayed patient,” said Siem.
It’s a solid starting position after the first 18 holes – also for Jannik de Bruyn on the same rank.
+++ On the topic: Spectacular start at the Elbphilharmonie +++
Fleetwood and Stenson have to fight
The top stars Tommy Fleetwood, Henrik Stenson and Nicolai Højgaard did not get off to a good start.
The English top golfer Fleetwoood slipped significantly with a triple bogey on the 17 shortly before the end and comes to a daily result of three over par.
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Ryder Cup captain Stenson had wished for warm temperatures to warm up, but never got really warm in the early morning.
When the sun shone from the blue sky onto the Porsche North Course, the Swede was already in the clubhouse with five over par.
Nicolai Højgaard experienced a day for copying. After day one, the Danish hope for the future is eight over par and one of the lower places.
Martin Kaymer’s cancellation at short notice was disappointing.
Info: www.porscheeuropeanopen.com
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