SWEDEN’S JOEL SJOHOLM has carded a bogeyless opening round of eight under to take a one-stroke lead at the Italian Open.
The 27-year-old did not drop a shot at Royal Park I Roveri, scoring four birdies on both the front and back nines to finish with a 64, just a shot ahead of England’s Lee Slattery.
Sjoholm started his round on Thursday with a birdie and carried on that positive form throughout the day.
The Swede burst away with an impressive run of three-straight birdies starting on the 11th hole and then birdied the last to complete his round of eight under.
Slattery birdied the final two holes to also complete a bogeyless round and move clear into second position late on the opening day of the European Tour event in Turin.
The 34-year-old Englishman sits on seven under, one shot ahead of seven players tied for third.
In an impressive display of golf at Royal Park I Roveri, three of that group also carded bogeyless opening rounds.
Richard McEvoy and David Howell of England, as well as South Africa’s Garth Mulroy, were the players who avoided dropping a shot in 18 holes.
Keith Horne of South Africa, England’s Richard Bland, Northern Ireland’s Gareth Maybin and Victor Dubuisson of France are also on six under after rounds of 66.
