Javier Sainz and Euan Walker share the first round lead at the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A after posting four under par rounds of 68 at Club de Golf Alcanada.
The leading duo both carded matching front and back nines of 36 and 32 to share a one-stroke lead in Mallorca.
Spain’s Sainz, currently 36th in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, has had one win already this season in May at the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A, and is in need of a big week to cement himself within the top 20 come Sunday evening.
“I had two weeks off, I think it was good for me to have a rest before playing this final. I think I did good work last week and today it came through but have to remain patient and will see what the rest of the days will bring.”
Scotsman Walker, 27, had a run of four birdies within six holes at the start of his back nine to move him to four under par, the score which he finished the day on.
The man from Kilmarnock also picked up his maiden win just four weeks ago at the British Challenge presented by Modest! Golf Management, and is sitting just one shot outside the elusive top 20 who will gain promotion to the DP World Tour come season end.
“It’s about as well as I could have hoped for really, I hit the ball really nicely and I had a few breaks go my way so I can’t hope for anything better than that.”
With his form trending in the right direction and moving positively in the last few weeks, it’s something he hopes he can capitalise on over the next three days.
“I have been playing nicely for about three months now, I think its just a culmination of lots of things now, but its been going really well, and the trick in golf is to keep doing well, I’m not saying it’s easy to play well one day but to play well consistently over a longer period of time is that’s what I want to do and hopefully I can do over the next couple of days.”
Tied in a share for third place just one shot back are Jeong weon Ko, Todd Clements & Alex Knappe, with seven players a further shot back.
Inclement weather conditions are forecast for tomorrow in the area, so a two-tee start is in order with the final group off at 09:30 local time.
