Maximilian Kieffer opened with a 4-under 69 in his home country to take a share of the lead in the Porsche European Open.
.@m4kieffer making the front nine look easy 😮💨
He takes the solo lead at four under. #PEO23 pic.twitter.com/k9E8Hudcm0
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 1, 2023
“It’s been a great day,” said the German. “On the front nine I holed two very long putts and one chip-in from off the green, which really got the round going. That was a great start to the round, those highlights.
“The back nine was more scoreable. Most of the holes are downwind and there are four par fives. I actually played quite well on the back nine but didn’t hole the putts – the speed on long putts wasn’t great, so I left a few out there on the back nine. Overall, I’m quite happy.”
The final three holes are all playing over par so far in round one 🫣#PEO23 pic.twitter.com/mgZkGf84ZF
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 1, 2023
Sweden’s Simon Forsström, who won the Soudal Open in Belgium last month, shares the lead.
“I’m very pleased. I thought it was tricky with the wind, it’s very windy and gusty. So I’m very pleased with my performance.
“I just try and keep it simple. It’s a monster out there. You need to keep away from double bogeys. Bogeys you’ll do, hopefully you’ll make more birdies.”
England’s Jordan Smith carded a 70 for a share of third place at 3-under alongside Dane Marcus Helligkilde, Joost Luiten of the Netherlands and Norway’s Kristian Krogh Johannessen.
