HILVERSUM, Netherlands: Raphael Jacquelin of France and Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay shot 5-under 65s in the opening round of the KLM Open yesterday to set the course record at Hilversumsche Golf Club.
Jacquelin holed five birdies and an eagle to match his 65 from two years but that event was played under a “preferred lie” rule, meaning the Frenchman and Zanotti now hold the official course lows.
Zanotti also made five birdies in his bogey-free round as he seeks to go one better than his joint runner-up finish at the 2010 tournament.
While Jacquelin has won three times on the European Tour, the 212th-ranked Zanotti is chasing his first Tour victory.
Five players share third place on 4 under, among them European Ryder Cup star Peter Hanson.
Hanson’s score is his lowest by a stroke in 12 rounds of the Dutch tournament, and the 34-year old Swede could not be more pleased in his final event prior to the September 27th commencing Ryder Cup.
“It is very important to be showing good form going to the Ryder Cup, so I am pleased with a 66,” he said. “Last week my game was kind of up and down, but today was more like the way I know I can play.” Hanson joined Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal, teammate Martin Kaymer and others in being surprised by the omission of Hunter Mahan as an American pick.
“I agree with Dustin Johnson and Steve Stricker as they have been playing well into the last few events, though Hunter Mahan missing out is a bit of a surprise,” Hanson said.
“But then his form has not been as good as it was earlier on in the year. However, they are four good picks that were chosen and we know that it is going to be a tough match playing away from home.
“I see the matches being very even, but then it was important for Europe to have a strong PGA Championship, as we did in Rory winning. I finished top-10 at Kiawah Island and that also was crucial to us, to find a bit of form. So from the middle of the summer it was looking very good for the USA but now I can see it being more of an even match-up.” Also on 4 under is the England duo of Steve Webster and Danny Willett plus Felipe Aguilar of Chile and Scotland’s Craig Lee.
Jacquelin, Zanotti shoot record 65s at KLM Open
