Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat shot five straight birdies from the 13th to close with an 8-under 63 and take a share of the lead in the acciona Open de España.
“I am really pleased with the start, it’s been a while since I played great golf.”
He joined China’s Ashun Wu who earlier in the day closed his bogey-free round with three back-to-back birdies from the 7th.
Wu has missed out on the last two DP World Tour events after hurting his neck but is no2 ready to win another title this year following the Magical Kenya Open in March.
“The injury was my neck and I think it was me sleeping bad,” said Wu. “It’s not a big problem, but I took two weeks off, so didn’t play Dunhill or the French Open, so stayed in France with my friend, had some rest and did a bit of practice but I am happy to come back to Madrid.”
“It was a lovely day today. I made eight birdies and no bogeys, so a lovely bogey-free round.”
Darius Van Driel from the Netherlands also closed in style with a birdie putt from almost 30 feet at the 9th for his share of the lead.
Spain’s own Jon Rahm, France’s Matthieu Pavon and Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren are tied in fourth place at 7-under with Pavon the only one of the three bogey-free.
England’s Daniel Gavins had the best possible response to a quadruple bogey at the 8th, a hole-in-one at the 9th. He closed with a 71.
