Omega European Masters: Paul Peterson Continues Good Form
As play got underway at the Omega European Masters, recent winner Paul Peterson was among four men holding a share of the first round lead in the Swiss Alps.
It’s funny just how quickly things can change in the game of golf.
Only two weeks ago, Paul Peterson was an unheralded American pro, ranked just inside the top 400 in the world, and just managing to shoot his third sub-70 round on the European Tour to claim victory at the Czech Masters and his first major tour win.
Now, he’s one of the European Tour’s in-form players, as the 28-year-old left hander posted a round consisting of seven birdies and one bogey for a 64 total, and a share of the day one lead at the scenic Crans-sur-Sierre golf course.
The European Tour’s annual stop to the breathtakingly scenic Swiss Alps is always an event that many circle on the calendar, and with 13 players within a shot of the lead after the opening day’s play, it looks like this year will have no problems delivering on excitement either.
Alongside Peterson, French duo of Gregory Havret and Mike Lorenzo-Vera, and England’s Daniel Brooks also managed to post an opening round of 64 strokes. Brooks’ round was particularly notable as the 29-year-old recorded back-to-back eagles on the 14th and 15th holes, both of which are par 5s.
Behind the leaders, there’s a whole host of familiar names set up for a good week too.
Defending champion and this year’s Masters winner Danny Willett came to Crans Montana determined to find some form ahead of his Ryder Cup debut, and with a 65 already under his belt he’s well positioned to kick on and do just that.
Another Englishman who has had a fast start is fan favorite Andrew “Beef” Johnston. A dip in form may have cost Beef any chance at making Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup team, but he returned to action this week with a bogey-free 65, and seemingly somewhat in awe of his surroundings.
“We’re so lucky to be here, every week we’re lucky but to come and see parts of the world like this is special.”
Having set the pace for much of the Olympic tournament in Rio, Australian Marcus Fraser is another who has started with an impressive five-under-par opening round.
On the other end of the scale, there were plenty of familiar names who struggled on Thursday at the Omega European Masters, with Ryder Cup bound players particularly noteworthy.
Lee Westwood, Andy Sullivan and Matthew Fitzpatrick all started with over-par rounds, two-over, four-over and five-over respectively, leaving them with a lot of work to do to make the halfway cut.
Omega European Masters – Day 1 Scores and Leaderboard
T1 Paul Peterson – 64 (-6)
T1 Mike Lorenzo-Vera – 64 (-6)
T1 Gregory Havret – 64 (-6)
T1 Daniel Brooks – 64 (-6)
T5 Danny Willett – 65 (-5)
T5 Andrew Johnston – 65 (-5)
T5 Scott Hend – 65 (-5)
T5 Marcus Fraser – 65 (-5)
T5 Richard Green – 65 (-5)
T5 Joachim B. Hansen – 65 (-5)
T5 James Morrison – 65 (-5)
T5 Julian Quesne – 65 (-5)
T5 Haotong Li – 65 (-5)
Play resumes for the second round at Crans-sur-Sierre on Friday at 7.40am local time.
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