Aguilar finds form to lead in Austria

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Chilean Felipe Aguilar found some much needed form to take the first-round lead at the Lyoness Open on Thursday.

The 42-year-old headed into this week’s European tour event still looking for his first top-10 finish of the season, having shot only four rounds in the 60s in 11 previous starts.

But he very much looked the part in the first round at Diamond Country Club near Atzenbrugg in Austria, mixing eight birdies with a single bogey to take his total to seven under par after day one.

That was good enough for a two-shot lead over Swede Johan Carlsson, England’s Ashley Chesters and South African Jaco Van Zyl, who all opened with 67s.

English pair Graeme Storm and Oliver Wilson, and Frenchman Joël Stalter followed on four under, three back, while as many as 13 players started with 69s to lie four shots adrift.

Local favourite Bernd Wiesberger opened with a pretty solid two-under-par 70, although he was hoping for much more in front of his home fans.

Aguilar turned in 31 thanks to birdies at the first, third, fourth, sixth and seventh. Another birdie followed at the 10th before he dropped a shot on the next.

Aguilar wasn’t done yet, however, rolling in two more birdies at 13 and 14 to ensure he finished the day on top of the pile.

“The way I started playing golf today is always a good sign but this is only 25 per cent of the tournament, we still have three days to go, it’s a long tournament, there are some really good players this week and the course is in great condition so you’ve got to keep the good work up,” said Aguilar.

“I’m going to stay focused on what I am doing, trying to hit fairways which is very important this week, the greens are going to get very difficult so you have to be able to hit the second shots from the fairway.

“I’m going to keep the same strategy, this is just the beginning of the week and we still have three days to go.”

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