Pablo Larrazabal drew on his superb knowledge of the course to post a five-under par 67 and finish just one stroke from the lead on the opening day of the Spanish Open.
Scotland rookie Scott Jamieson birdied his 17th in a round of 66 to finish with a six under par tally.
The Real Club De Golf El Prat in Barcelona is Larrabal’s home course and he found one of the shortest ways around the venue with a bogey free display in bright and sunny conditions.
Spain's Pablo Larrazabal draws on local knowledge to shoot a first round 67.
“Being a member here means that I know the golf course very well, so I am the player knows it the best this week (smiling),” he said.
“All parts of my game was good today but the best part was my mind, as I played very solid golf and if I missed a shot, then I missed it where you need to miss.
“I made a lot of solid pars and I took the birdies where I needed to take them, so it was a good day’s work.”
Larrazabal burst onto the international stage in grand manner in capturing the 2008 French Open in Versailles.
Colin Montgomerie began the final round that year three behind the Spaniard and had been asked what he thought about Larrazabal, who had been a Monday qualifier.
Here’s how the interview went with SKY Sports TV.
Interviewer: “Colin. What do you think about Pablo Larrazabal?
Monty: “Who?”
Interviewer: “Pablo Larrazabal. He’s leading the tournament.”
Monty: “Well, let’s just call him Pablo for the time being.”
Monty lost out to the Spaniard by four shots and afterwards commented: “Well, he doesn’t know how to design a golf course.”
But since winning on the hopeful 2018 Ryder Cup host venue, Larrazabal has struggled and managing just one top-three finish over the past two years
Miguel Angel Jimenez lights up after signing for a 71.
“My year in 2008 was very good but then 2009 was very tough for me but since December 2009 I have been working as hard as ever,” he said.
“Also over the last five to six months I am again hitting the golf ball very good and while there have been some solid rounds, I am not yet playing solid tournaments.
“So I will take my five under today but I am not going to think about it tomorrow.”
Larazabal shares the lead on five under par with French rookie, Romain Watel, India’s Jeev Milka Singh and England’s Steve Webster.
