The 2023 edition of the European Mid-amateur championships kicked off in perfect playing conditions at Bogogno Golf Resort in Italy.
With 144 competitors in the field, round 1 ended up with good scores and shared leads in both tournaments.
Defending champion Ane Urchegui Garcia (ESP) set the morning’s first significant club-house lead in the women’s championship. Despite back-to-back bogeys on her final two holes, the Spaniard came in with a 1-under 71.
Her playing partner, Alena Oppenheimer (GER) finished with the same score of -1, as well as her German compatriot, Bianca Ruf. Belgium’s Céline Manche had a good opportunity to take the outright lead, but after a double bogey on the 15th, she too had to settle for a 71.
Germany’s Hanne Rieke Gerding joined first place at the end of the afternoon, shooting the best score of the late starters.
After round 1 of the women’s championship, a five-way tie at the lead tops a tighly packed leaderboard.
Nobody was able to take the outright lead in the men’s championship either. Denmark’s Nikolaj Hammergaard set the pace in the early day, sinking six birdies for a 4-under 68.
It only took a few minutes to Michael Tannhäuser to join him at first place. The German made the most of birdie opportunities on the back 9, sinking back to back putts on 14 and 15.
Once again, the best performance of the afternoon added one player to the top of the leaderboard. France’s Cédric Bertin-Pennarun remained bogey-free thoughout the day, saving a solid par on his last hole, to card a 68.
Fourth place belongs to Ben Welch from England, who conceded his only bogey of the day on the 18th hole. A lot of players remain in contention, as 36 holes are left to be played in the championships.
Leaderboards: https://www.ega-golf.ch/livescoring#/competition/4038713/leaderboard/3777926
