Donaldson leads at Czech Masters
Welshman Jamie Donaldson grabbed the overnight lead at the European Tour Czech Masters on Thursday after finishing a shot ahead of Swede Mikael Lundberg.
Donaldson started the first round in style with a birdie on the par-five first hole, but bogeyed the fourth to drop back. He went on to make up for it on the rest of the front nine, nailing birdies on the fourth, eighth and ninth holes.
The 38-year-old bogeyed again on the 11th hole but birdied the 12th, 14th, 17th and 18th to finish on a six-under 66.
Donaldson’s only previous European Tour victories came at the 2012 Irish Open and 2013 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, but he will be motivated to finish as high as possible to cement his place in the European Ryder Cup team.
Next week’s Italian Open offers the last opportunity to gain enough ranking points to finish in the top nine on the qualification table and seal an automatic qualification spot for Gleneagles.
While Donaldson is currently within the top nine, a poor finish combined with a high finish by one of the chasing pack could see him drop out.
Lundberg carded three birdies on the first five holes at the Albatross Golf Resort and three of the first four on the back nine, with a bogey on the seventh hole preventing him from tieing Donaldson for the lead.
Behind him ten players are currently tied for third on four-under, including England’s Paul Waring, Kenneth Ferrie, Danny Willett, Lee Slattery, Matthew Nixon and Sam Walker, and Scotland’s Craig Lee.
Latest
-
NewsAdam Scott relishing chance to experience a career first at the Australian Open
The tournament sees men, women and golfers with disabilities competing on the same course at the same time.
-
NewsTiger Woods backs up Rory McIlroy and says LIV Golf boss Greg Norman ‘has to go’
Woods called McIlroy a ‘true leader’ as he spoke out about the Saudi-funded breakaway.
-
NewsTiger Woods withdraws from Hero World Challenge due to foot problem
The former world number one has not played since the Open Championship in July.
-
NewsTiger Woods to partner son Charlie in next month’s PNC Championship
Woods has not played since the Open Championship in July.
-
The MajorsI want to fulfil my dreams – Adam Scott in no mood to lower expectations
Scott is seeking a third Australian PGA Championship title this week in his native Queensland.
-
Ryder CupNicolas Colsaerts named a vice-captain for Europe’s Ryder Cup team
The Belgian joins Thomas Bjorn and Edoardo Molinari on Luke Donald’s staff.
-
NewsIreland’s Ancient East: Golf attractions alongside stunning beauty of Kildare
Ireland has a rich mix of tourist attractions across its varied and beautiful terrain.
-
European TourRory McIlroy crowned top golfer in Europe despite Jon Rahm claiming Dubai title
The Spaniard’s two-shot victory over England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Sweden’s Alex Noren was his third in six years at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
-
LPGA TourLeona Maguire shoots day’s best to tie Lydia Ko in chasing LPGA’s largest prize
Maguire is chasing her second title while Ko is close to claiming her second straight LPGA Tour player of the year.
-
European TourRory McIlroy edges ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in race to be European number one
McIlroy’s third round of 65 at the DP World Tour Championship put him back ahead of his rival in the rankings.