Lucas Bjerregaard and Ryan Evans share Sicily lead

Lucas Bjerregaard and Ryan Evans share a two stroke lead after the opening round of the Rocco Forte Sicilian Open on Thursday.
The duo would sign for a pair of 65’s around a bright but breezy Verdura Golf Course, enough for a two shot lead ahead of a host of players on four under, including Englishmen Andy Sullivan and Daniel Brooks.
Bjerregaard was first out of the blocks on a relatively benign morning. With a superb start that saw the Dane make the turn in five under, he caught early leader Eunshin Park of South Korea who also had a fast start.
A couple birdies and a bogey on the way in were enough for Bjerregaard to earn the clubhouse lead.
“I haven’t played well this year but I found something in China and the things I’ve been working on for quite a while now seem to be coming around a little bit,” said Bjerregaard, who finished sixth at the Volvo China Open in April.
“I’m not going to go out and expect a whole lot just because of today – there’s a long way to go – but it’s nice to hit some good shots and play a bit better.
“I played really well today. It was a shame to finish off with a bogey, it would be have been nice to finish off with a clean card but in these conditions I’m quite happy with 65. There wasn’t much wind when we teed off but it didn’t take long for it to pick up.”
With the wind picking up, it seemed like Bjerregaard would hold on to that lead but Evans was scintillating with his irons, rolling in four birdies and an eagle for a bogey-free round.
Further down the leaderboard, South African THomas Aitken, Sebastien Gros, Krogh Johannessen and Park are all in T8 on three under par.
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy on latest near-miss in Abu Dhabi: ‘I don’t feel like I played great’
McIlroy avoids mentioning final-round blues but admits he needs to get more consistent.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.