Sebastian Garcia Rodriquez. Pic: Getty Images/ European Tour
July 30: Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez shot a stunning 10-under 62 at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club as Spaniards dominated the top three places at the end of the first round of the Hero Open on Thursday.
India’s Shubhankar Sharma playing his first event since mid-March shot one-over 73, but felt his game was in place and he could make up enough to make the cut on Friday. He was lying T-89, but a good under par second round should see him into the weekend rounds.
Yet, Garcia Rodriguez’s 62 was pushed into the background as the amazing 56-year-old Miguel Angel Jimenez playing a record 707th European Tour event, shot a bogey-free eight-under 64 to tied second with another Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal.
Garcia Rodriguez carded two eagles, eight birdies and two bogeys to lead by two from Jiménez and Larrazabal.
While Garcia Rodriguez is embarking on a maiden European Tour campaign, 56-year-old Jiménez surpassed Sam Torrance with his 707th appearance, 37 years after making his debut.
The 21 time European Tour winner marked the occasion in style, with eight birdies in a flawless 64 before he received a video call from Torrance – along with a glass of Rioja – after walking off the 18th green.
Larrazábal had nine birdies against a single bogey in his round, with Wales’ Oliver Farr fourth on seven under.
Challenge Tour graduate Garcia Rodriguez, fresh from his first top five finish on the European Tour at the Austrian Open, made five birdies and an eagle at the long third to race to the turn in 29.
Any thoughts of breaking 60 were put on hold when the 31-year-old bogeyed the tenth, but Garcia Rodriguez then fired to five feet at the 13th and made it back-to-back gains at the next.
A second bogey of the day came at the 16th but the European Tour rookie recovered in style with an eagle on the 17th from ten feet before adding a birdie at the last from similar range for good measure.
“For me it’s incredible but the key thing is the driver,” said Garcia Rodriguez. “The putts were so close to the hole all the time.
“It’s amazing, it’s my first low, low score on the European Tour.”
Jiménez revealed it had been a “very emotional” occasion after his round.
“It’s been a wonderful day, eight under par,” he said. “Beautiful summer day and especially now on the 18th here with all my colleagues. Very emotional.
“I enjoy everything about my life here. This is not the first time I’ve said it: it’s a way of living. It’s not about business, it’s a way of living. Golf is my life. You never remember any bad moments.”
Jiménez was not the only player in the field making a landmark appearance, with Scotland’s David Drysdale shooting a one over 73 in his 500th European Tour event.
Read also:
Mechanic No. 707 Jimenez sets new record at Hero Open; Drysdale gets to No. 500
Roller-coaster start for Shubhankar at Hero Open
