Rafa Cabrera Bello’s Daily Diary: Interesting first day cut short by fading light

Well that was an interesting day, the first round of the €3 million DS Automobiles Italian Open at Marco Simone GC, on the DP World Tour.

I managed to play 13 holes when the round was suspended due to fading light.

We will restart in the morning at 7.30am local Italy time and the second round tee times will commence at 8am with a 50-minute delay to all original tee times. I am two under par after 13 holes, which puts me in tied 14th.

I had birdies on holes 3, 12 and 13 and a single bogey on hole 8. All three of my birdies were with putts well under 10 feet, so in the end I am bit disappointed having to come in off the course after a run of two birdies.

That is golf I suppose and I have to be prepared for a long Friday in Italy. Leading the way is England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, who is five under after 15 holes, also one of the later starters.

Eight players are on four under par, including Rory McIlroy and my fellow Dubai-based Spaniard, Adri Arnaus who are both in the clubhouse, having completed 18 holes. 36 players are under par so far this week, so it just shows what a tough set-up it is here at the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup.

I have just glanced at Rory’s scorecard. He started on hole 10 alongside Francisco Molinari and defending Italian Open champion, 21 year-old Nicolai Hojgaard (Den). Rory was out in a disappointing 37 with two bogeys and a birdie.

Then came the fireworks on his back nine, holes 1-9. Rory took it apart with three birdies and an eagle. The eagle was on hole 3 where he holed his second shot from 115 yards on the par 4.

He then managed further birdies on holes: 5, 8 and 9. It just illustrates the strength of character and patience we all need to play this game.

I need a good night’s sleep ready for a long day: back on the golf course at 7.30am to finish my last five holes and then onto my second round.

I have just looked at the weather forecast and it is predicting temperatures up to 28 degrees, which is great, but sadly also predicting intermittent showers and thunderstorms all day on Friday, so it could be one of the longest day’s of the year, I am going to be at the golf club most of the day with an early alarm call.

It is the same of most of the rest of the field, apart from the lucky ones who have already completed their rounds.

I will stay patient, I am playing well and speak to you after I eventually complete my first round and second rounds.

— Rafa Cabrera Bello, 38-year-old, is a Dubai Golden Visa Awardee, based in Dubai who has won four times on the DP World Tour, including the 2012 Dubai Desert Classic. Rafa is a Global Ambassador of JA Resorts & Hotels.