Gloet boasts first round lead at Qualifying School Final

In just his first season of professional golf, Denmark’s Christian Gloet was left atop a congested leaderboard at PGA Catalunya Resort, as The European Tour’s six round Qualifying School FInal Stage got under way in Girona.

The 24 year old from Hilleroed, who plied his trade on the Nordic Golf League this season, carded five birdies, an eagle and just a single dropped shot to finish six better than the par of 70 on the easier Tour Course, a score that saw him finish a shot clear of World Number 74 Anirban Lahiri.

One further adrift on four under is a whole host of top talent though, including European Tour winners Andrew Dodt, Johan Edfors and Kenneth Ferrie, as well as Ricardo Gonzalez and John Parry, who were the best of those to play on the tougher Stadium layout on day one.

As for Gloet, he was delighted with his opening salvo, ahead of a week that could drastically alter the path of his embryonic professional career.

“It was quiet and pretty out there, so it felt good today,” said the Dane, who has come through both stages of the qualifying process so far – at Ebreichsdorf and Las Colinas – to earn his place at this week’s European Tour Destination.

“I started nicely on the tenth to two putt for a birdie, and then another couple of birdies followed with only one dropped shot on the first nine. I played nicely for the next six holes but only managed pars, then the eagle at the seventh, and a closing birdie at the ninth was good.

“I didn’t shape my driver too well today, but it was still in the fairway, so that was OK. It was pleasing to post a good number today on the easier course, but I think if I can hit the fairways on the Stadium Course, then it will be good for me too.

“I have played quite well the last three or four months, so I’m pleased to be here. I’ve been playing the Nordic Golf League this season and finished tenth on the Rankings. I also won my first tournament as a professional this summer at the Gant Open in Finland.

“This is my first time trying the Qualifying School, and my first season as a professional, but I have had a good balance from my years in the national squad with Denmark. My goal is just to try and enjoy everything this week.”

Fresh off victory just three weeks ago at the Venetian Macau Open on the Asian Tour, Lahiri was pleased with an opening round of 65 just an hour’s drive north of Barcelona.

The Indian went bogey free on the opening day, carding five gains along the way, and he is ideally placed to pick up one of the cards available to those finishing in the top 25 and ties at PGA Catalunya Resort.

Edfors narrowly missed out on a return to The Race to Dubai in 2015 after his first win in eight years at the inaugural Shankai Classic presented by IDG saw him finish in 18th place on the European Challenge Tour Rankings.

The Swede continued that fine form in Girona on day one, carding six birdies to counter two dropped shots and finish four under, as he continues to rebuild his career.

That is the same mark as four-time European Tour winner Ricardo Gonzalez – the most successful man in the field this week – who put together an identical round on the tougher Stadium Course, on which the final two rounds of the tournament will be played after a cut to 70 and ties.

Former Challenge Tour Number One Andrea Pavan got his bid for a swift return to golf’s top table off to the ideal start, thanks to a three under par score on Saturday, which has him in a tie for 17th on three under par.

That is the same mark as compatriot and Junior Olympic Champion Renato Paratore, as the 17 year old Junior Ryder Cup player completed an impressive first round as a professional.

PGA Catalunya specialist Carlos Del Moral also made a good start, firing a two under par 70 to lie in a share of 33^rdplace after 18 holes, as the Spaniard looks to earn his card for the fifth time in the last seven years at the season-ending marathon.

Former US Amateur Champion Mathew Fitzpatrick also carded a solid opening score of two under par on the Stadium Course. That is the same mark as three-time European Tour winner Nick Dougherty, as he looks to rediscover his best form, with the pair in a tie for 33rd with five rounds still to come.