Friday 27 March 2015 20:24, UK
Adrien Saddier fired a flawless seven-under 65 to take a one shot lead at the opening round of the Trophee Hassan II.
The Frenchman, only in Morocco through a sponsor’s invite, chipped in an eagle on the par-five first before making five further gains to top the leaderboard ahead of Daniel Gaunt.
Saddier chipped in again at the sixth in the first of succesive birdies to reach the turn in 32, adding three more during his back nine.
“It was very good, I played solid throughout the day,” Saddier said. “The course was very calm, not much wind so very good start to the tournament.
“It was one of my best rounds because I play very straight during all through the round, especially the front nine.
“If I could get a win it would change my schedule as at the moment I’m playing on the Challenge Tour - I just need to focus on each shot now and see what happens.”
Gaunt looked set for a share of the clubhouse lead after rolling in a third birdie in-a-row on the 17th to move seven-under, but could only bogey the last in an opening round 66.
South Africa’s George Coetzee and Scotland’s David Drysdale are joined by Chris Wood on five-under, with Wood making five gains in a flawless first day.
Starting from the 10th, Coetzee, who won the Tshwane Open on his home course in Pretoria a fortnight ago, opened with back-to-back birdies and was clubhouse leader on six-under with two holes to play.
The world No 69, who needs to win this week to receive a Masters invite, ran up a double bogey on the eighth after his tee shot rolled back off the green and his first chip caught the same slope, but made amends with a 20-foot gain at the last.
Oliver Wilson missed the chance to join them on five-under as he made his only blemish of the round with a bogey at the last, leaving last year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner in the nine-man group tied on four-under including Masters hopeful Marcel Siem.
Siem made a lengthy birdie putt on the 9th to end strongly in an up-and-down round containing three bogeys, while Anthony Wall sunk an eagle on the 17th to join the field three shots back.
“I hit some good shots,” Wall said. “Bar the last I hit every fairway which was brilliant because that’s the secret around here.
“If you can hit the fairways then you give yourself some good numbers you can score because it’s in good condition.”
Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello recovered from a double-bogey at the 12th to join compatriot Jose Maria Olazabal on three-under, while David Horsey ended an erratic first day a further shot back despite gaining three strokes from his opening two holes.
“I feel happy with my game today,” Cabrera-Bello told Sky Sports. “I made one or two sloppy swings out there but the rest was pretty solid. I stayed calm, patient and I’m very happy with the first round.”
While Coetzee and Siem both made strong starts in their pursuit of Masters qualification, it was a mixed day for the other four still hoping to earn their invite to Augusta.
Fleetwood was the best placed of that quartet after an opening 70, with Levy recording a 72 and Sullivan two-over, while Fisher struggled to a 77 which was matched by defending champion Alejandro Canizares.
Watch day two of the Trophee Hassan II live on Friday from 11am on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
