David Horsey Bolts To One Shot Russian Open Lead As Kafelnikov Shoots 83.

England’s David Horsey shot a seven under par 65 for a one shot lead on day one of the Russian Open in Moscow.

Horsey birdied four of his closing six holes to break clear of the Scotland-born duo of Scott Jamieson and Peter Whiteford sharing second place on six under par.

A further nine places share fourth place at five under par including 22-year old Belgium-born rookie Thomas Pieters and managed by the same company who look after the affairs of 14-time Major winning Tiger Woods.

Horsey teed-up on the Tseleevo Golf and Polo Club arrived in Moscow with four top-10 finishes this season including a share of ninth in last month’s Lyoness Open in Austria as the 29-year old chases a third European Tour success.

“It was a very solid round of golf though there was a few shaky holes early on where I managed to scramble a few pars with a couple of nice eight to 10 footers,” he said.

“But after that it was pretty much flawless and probably could have been a few better.

“It was a little breezier out there this afternoon but I gave myself a lot of chances for birdie.

“I have been working hard on my game the last nine to 10 months and while it’s been a bit inconsistent, the good stuff has been really good and it’s just that inconsistency and a lack of confidence with it that’s hurt a bit.

“However that comes with the territory when you bring in changes but they’re starting to bed in and I’m starting to get more comfortable.”

David Horsey leads 1st round 2014 Russian Open

England’s David Horsey shoots a round of 65 to lead the M2M Russian Open by one shot on day one in Moscow. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)

Horsey is currently 198th on the World Rankings and along with Jamieson, who is presently ranked 15 places higher at 183rd, are two of just three players inside the top-200 competing in the Euro 1m event.

Jamieson is targeting a second Tour victory and capped his round with an eagle ‘three’ at the par five eight hole and a birdie at the last.

Whiteford birdied four of his last seven holes and teed-up in the Russian capital having missed the halfway cut in his past eight events while the 34-year old Scot also is striving for a first Tour win in his 181st tournament.

There is 10 Russian-born players in the 114-player field including former Tennis World No. 1 and now 40-year old Yevgeny Kafelnikov who had just one birdie but also six bogeys and three double bogeys in his round of an 11-over par 83

Defending champion Michael Hoey withdrew from the event with a left foot injury that had also forced the Northern Irishman out of last week’s (British) Open Championship.



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