The two co-leaders after round one of the ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid are both Asian. To most golf fans, Kiradech Aphibarnrat is a big name. The heavy-smoking Thai is hard to miss with his unmistakable gait and delectable touch around the greens. His 63 today included 8 birdies and two eagles. Only two bogeys, on the 2nd and 12th, prevented him from going double digits under par. Keep an eye on him over the next three days because he is a battle-hardened golfer who will not fade at the first sign of pressure.
The other man to post a 63 was Chinese player Ashun Wu, whose blemish-free card included 8 birdies. Wu has four DP World Tour wins to his name, the last coming early in 2022 in Kenya, so he could well contend this week. Pressure is a different animal when you have had a recent taste of triumph.
The surprise package of the day came in the form of Dariun Van Driel. A complete unknown, the Dutchman snuck onto the top of the leaderboard with a stunning back nine that included four birdies and no bogeys. The highlight of his career so far on the DP World Tour is a second place at the 2019 Belgian Knockout. Today he played the round of his life.
Aphibarnrat and Wu are the only players in the field who managed to go lower than Jon Rahm did this morning. The hot favourite for the title at this ACCIONA Open de España presented by Madrid did not disappoint. Rahm will tee it up tomorrow just one shot behind the Asian duo, after a superlative 64. Frenchman Matthieu Pavon matched the Spaniard after a dream front nine, during which he played four holes in five under par (the 3rd to the 6th).
Another player to post -7 was Scotsman Stephen Gallacher, a DP World Tour journeyman. At 47 years of age and occupying number 852 in the world rankings, this may be one of his last chances to pick up a trophy.
It is all against Rahm in Madrid, but everyone is all too aware of what the Spaniard is capable of. There is plenty of golf left to play, and plenty left to enjoy.
