August 22-25
Hills Golf & Sports Club, Gothenburg, Sweden
€1,500,000
Live leaderboard
Round 2, Round 3, Round 4

Wade Ormsby produced a sensational 62 to take the early lead on day one of the Scandinavian Invitation at Hills Golf & Sports Club.

Early starter Ormsby, who is still looking for his first win of the 2019 Race to Dubai campaign after coming up just short at the ISPS Handa Vic Open earlier in the year, fired an eagle and six birdies on Thursday to get to eight under par and surge to the top of leaderboard.

“I made a pretty straight birdie on 12 and then 14 I was in between a five and a four iron, picked the right one and boxed it, so then I just got a bit of momentum through the final holes. I felt quite comfortable out there, I was holing my return putts and that kept the round going, which added up to 62.

“I felt like I had been hitting the ball quite well, I just wasn't quite free enough in my putting, so I as working hard on that to get back to a point where I feel more comfortable and less into my technique. Putted well today, didn't putt amazing, but holed what I needed too."

The Australian enjoyed a long stint at the top after making a fast start but required a birdie at the ninth - his last hole - to finish his round alone at the summit, with Frenchman Alexander Levy and home favourite Joakim Lagergren one shot back on seven under.

“I think I played really well today," said Levy. "Hit some really good shots, especially the birdie I made on the par three on the back nine, with a good shot so that was nice. Plus, I holed some nice putts, so that is the really good news of the day.

“When you look at the video of my swing it is totally different, so it is nice. I feel like I have really good control of the flight and the spin of the ball, so it was what I wanted. The last few weeks have been pretty good. My putting was not working well and since last week I am putting really well and I am starting to build more confidence."

Former champion Matthew Fitzpatrick opened with a bogey free 64 to head into the clubhouse on six under. The Englishman was apprehensive following a three week break from tournament golf but he showed no signs of rust, firing six birdies to sign for a 64, with South African Erik van Rooyen and Englishman Matthew Southgate a further shot adrift. 

“ Very pleased," said Fitzpatrick. "I was a little apprehensive coming into the week as I just had three weeks off, and you don't know what you are going to be dealing with when you have had a bit of time off, but it was a great start to the week.

“It is one round out of four for this week, so still a long way to go, but another three of them would be very nice. I'll just keep doing what I am doing and keep putting myself into good positions, and that is all you can do really.

“Really scrambled well today. I missed a handful of greens and really got up-and-down when I needed too and that kept the momentum going in the round.”

Meanwhile, Australian Adam Bland made the 22nd hole-in-one of the season when he holed a seven iron from 154 metres on the tenth to win a Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI 4 Motion.