Italy’s own Andrea Pavan spearheaded a three-way tie for first place at the Italian Open’s inaugural round on Thursday, joined by Denmark’s Sebastian Friedrichsen and America’s Gunner Wiebe. Pavan’s masterful display yielded a bogey-free 64, cementing his position at 7 under par.
The partisan crowd at Adriatic Golf Club Cervia rallied behind their hometown hero, despite Pavan’s admission that it had been two decades since he last navigated the course.
“I’m essentially starting from scratch,” Pavan acknowledged. “The layout may not be lengthy, but precision is paramount, especially on the back nine’s diminutive greens.”
Pavan’s impressive performance drew upon his past successes, including a pair of European Tour victories in 2018 and 2019. His experience and skill were on full display as he expertly navigated the course, setting the tone for a thrilling tournament.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Gavin Green and Sweden’s Marcus Kinhult lurked just a stroke behind, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive contest.
As the day drew to a close, the trio’s shared lead hinted at a thrilling contest in store, with Pavan’s local knowledge and skill poised to play a pivotal role in the battle for supremacy at the Italian Open. With the crowd firmly behind him, Pavan is ready to face the challenge ahead and make a strong push for the title.