Kiradech, holder Molinari in six-way tie for lead at Italian Open
>> MILAN: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and defending champion Francesco Molinari shot sevenunder-par 64s to share a six-way lead at the the Italian Open in Monza on Thursday.
They were joint leaders along with Wales’s Jamie Donaldson, Swede Alexander Bjork and English pair of Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace.
Kiradech led for most of the morning after firing four birdies in his first eight holes before pulling off an important par save at the 18th.
The 28-year-old’s putting reaped further gains at the first, third and fourth and he safely parred his final five holes to sign for a flawless 64.
Kiradech said: “This course really suits my game — small greens, quite a narrow golf course and my driver and putter are working so well, so that’s why I made a good start.”
Italy’s Molinari said: “I started pretty much where I left off last year, so it was great.”
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
(Par-71, GBR/IRL unless stated)
64 — Francesco Molinari (ITA), Matt Wallace, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Alexander Bjork (SWE), Jamie Donaldson, Eddie Pepperell
65 — An Byeong-Hun (KOR), George Coetzee (RSA) 66 — Alex Noren (SWE), Matthieu Pavon (FRA), Chris Paisley, Marc Warren, Sergio Garcia (ESP), Andrea Pavan (ITA), Alejandro Canizares (ESP), Gregory Havret (FRA)