Fasth among early frontrunners

Former Ryder Cup player Niclas Fasth was among a large leading pack during the early stages of the inaugural NH Collection Open.

The Swede, part of Europe’s victorious 2002 side at the Belfry, birdied the tenth – his first – to be one of only eight players under par at La Reserva de Sotogrande Club de Golf.

Fasth won six titles between 2000 and 2007, but has had to rely on his status as one of The European Tour’s 40 highest career money earners in recent years to retain his card.

The 41 year old was joined on one under by Denmark’s former Celtic Manor Wales Open winner Jeppe Huldahl, France’s Cyril Bouniol, German Bernd Ritthammer, England’s Daniel Brooks, home favourite Adrian Otaegui and Scottish pair Alastair Forsyth and Jack Doherty.

The first round had started two hours and 40 minutes later than scheduled due to heavy rain in southern Spain.