MOLINARI ON SONG
Milan fans can’t get enough of home hope Fran after sizzling 64
DEFENDING champion Francesco Molinari is in a six-way tie for the lead after the first round of the Italian Open.
The home favourite carded nine birdies and two bogeys in a sparkling 64 to delight the Milan crowd.
Molinari was joined by England’s Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace, Welshman Jamie Donaldson, Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand and Swede Alexander Bjork on seven under par. South African George Coetzee and Byeong Hun An of South Korea lie a shot further back.
Marc Warren – one of five Scots in the field at Golf Club Milano – Masters champion Sergio Garcia and English duo Matt Wallace and Chris Paisley are among eight players tied on five under after rounds of 66.
Starting at the 10th hole Molinari registered a hat-trick of birdies from 14 which he capped by draining a brilliant 20-footer at the 16th.
He finished his front nine in style, chipping in for a birdie at the 18th to get to five under before picking up further shots at the first and second.
Molinari said: “Obviously it was another good day. I started pretty much where I left off last year, so it was great.
“It’s great to see the crowds. There’s a nice buzz around the place and I’m happy and proud to be part of it.”
A high-profile three-ball saw the top three in the Race to Dubai, Tommy Fleetwood, Garcia and Jon Rahm, teeing off together.
England’s Fleetwood, currently leading the rankings, hit a level-par 71 while third-placed Rahm of Spain came home in 67.
Scots duo David Drysdale and Richie Ramsay also carded four-under 67s. Stephen Gallacher shot a one over 72 while Scott Jamieson endured a disappointing 75.