DP World Tour: Robert MacIntyre three back as Sami Valimaki grabs early Czech Masters lead | Golf News

Sami Valimaki birdied his first 5 holes on his approach to a two-shot lead in Prague; Robert MacIntyre is among the many Ryder Cup hopefuls in motion; Watch the second spherical reside on Friday from noon on Sky Sports activities Golf

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Highlights from the primary spherical of the Czech Masters from the Albatross Golf Resort.

Ryder Cup hopefuls Robert MacIntyre and Alexander Bjork seized their probability to personally impress Europe captain Luke Donald on day one of many D+D Actual Czech Masters.

Taking part in alongside Donald within the penultimate qualifying occasion at Albatross Golf Resort, MacIntyre carded a gap 66 and Bjork went one higher with a 65 to share second place, two pictures behind pacesetter Sami Valimaki.

Nicolai Hojgaard and Ludvig Aberg, who had been positioned in the identical group as vice-captain Francesco Molinari, carded rounds of 65 and 68 respectively, with Yannik Paul capturing a 66 matched by Molinari’s brother Edoardo, his enjoying associate for the primary two rounds and one other vice-captain.

Sami Valimaki holds a two-shot lead after the opening day

Donald admitted on Wednesday the id of his six wild playing cards was giving him sleepless nights, however he can solely have been inspired by the type of these attempting to make the case for choice.

MacIntyre holds the third and closing automated qualifying place on the European Factors listing and a victory in Prague, coupled with none of his rivals ending within the prime 5, would seal his place within the aspect.

“I am delighted with the spherical,” MacIntyre stated after a bogey-free 66. “I hoped for that after final week (a missed minimize in Northern Eire). I felt like I drove it nicely, iron play was good and I putted respectable. I’ve acquired so much on my thoughts, so much happening and I’ve simply acquired to maintain combating.”

Bjork, who’s twentieth on the European Factors listing, additionally stored his card bogey-free and completed with 4 straight birdies in entrance of Donald, whose personal 71 was marred by a double-bogey six on the eighth, his penultimate gap.

“It was actually enjoyable,” Bjork stated. “Luke is a good participant and a participant seemed as much as once I was youthful. It was enjoyable enjoying with him. We’re getting shut (to the Ryder Cup) however I am simply attempting to focus, like I’ve finished all season, on what I ought to do with my sport. I am nonetheless doing that and that is what I ought to do.”

Alexander Bjork is chasing as a second DP World Tour title

Valimaki began his spherical from the tenth with 5 straight birdies and picked up 4 extra pictures on the entrance 9 to card a bogey-free 63 and luxuriate in a two-shot lead over a five-strong chasing pack.

“I used to be simply flowing,” the Finn stated. “Once you begin placing good and hitting it good, you simply maintain going and benefit from the spherical. Final time right here I missed the minimize by loads of pictures so I did not have large expectations for the week. It is good to start out this manner.”

Watch the D+D Actual Czech Masters all through the week reside on Sky Sports activities. Reside protection continues on Friday from noon on Sky Sports activities Golf. Stream the DP World Tour and more for £26 a month for 12 months with NOW.