Exclusive report by Rubee King, Crans Montana.
Despite the wet and miserable condtions, Frenchman Gregory Bourdy shone through on day one of the Omega European Masters at Crans Montana.
Bourdy signed for an eight under par 63 and topping the leaderboard by two shots.
Rubee King reporting exclusive at this week's Omega European Masters for www.golfbytourmiss.com
It was Bourdy’s lowest-ever Swiss score by five shots and in an event he’s missed the cut in three of his four prior appearances.
Bourdy, 30 started with birdie on the 10th hole or first hole in an impressive display of no bogeys and with a round of only 25 putts but also under a ‘preferred lie’ ruling due to the conditions.
He arrived in Switzerland having finished 15th last week at the Johnnie Walker Championship Gleneagles where he shot 66 on day two.
“Very exciting, maybe this is my best round I played ever,” he said.
“I missed one shot but my reaction after that was pretty good, and I had a very good attitude after this bad shot and maybe this is why I finished well.”
“You have to endure with it and I did well”
Two players Sweden’s Fredrik Anderson Hed and England’s Oliver Fisher are tied in second place with scores of six under par 65s.
A further five players are in third place with scores of 66 – India’s Aniban Lahiri, Welshman Rhys Davies, Australia’s Scott Barr and the England duo of Robert Coles and David Howell,
“It was a good round and pretty steady so I’m pleased with where I am and I feel quite happy with my game,” said Fisher.
Andersson-Hed commented: “I had some terribly bad shots at the beginning of the round, but I managed to par all six starting holes and from there on I played solid and took my opportunities to make some birdies.”
Gregory Bourdy on route to a 63 on the first day of 2012 Omega European Masters. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
And Coles was delighted as he looks to celebrate his 40th birthday on Sunday with a first Tour victory in some 340 Tour events.
“Maybe with all the rain they’ll call off the event on Saturday and we only play 54 and I could still win as a 39-year old,” joked Coles.
“To win any tournament would be great, but to win on my birthday would be extra special.”
Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher was in a further group on four under par and despite leaving the course soaked through the Scot was delighted to continue a return to form after he finished in a share of sixth in Scotland last week.
