Yates makes flying start in Abruzzo Alps Open
Jonathan Yates
ALPS TOUR — Ireland’s Jonathan Yates made an eagle and six birdies in a six-under 65 to lie just one shot off the pace in the Abruzzo Alps Open in Pescara.
Starting on the back nine, the Naas man turned made three birdies and a bogey to turn in two-under 33 at Miglianico Golf & Country Club before coming home in 32 as he added an eagle three at the first and birdies at the fourth, eighth and ninth against a bogey-four at the fifth.
Yates was tied for second with Austria’s Uki Weinhandl and amateurs Alessandro Nardini of Italy and France’s Tom Vaillant, one stroke behind Italy’s Edoardo Giletta, who made an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey in a seven-under 64.
Castleknock’s David Carey fired a four-under 67 to share 10th place while The Island’s Paul McBride and Rhys Clarke were joint 50th after level par 71s.
Gary Hurley (76) and Simon Bryan (80) were near the back of the field.
Edoardo Giletta. Photo Credit: Tristan Jones Photography
“I had a strong start with an eagle on hole number one,” Giletta said. A nice drive, a good second shot and I holed a great putt, it was unexpected! On 12 I hit a bad shot, went into the water, and took a drop but I reacted promptly with a birdie the following hole and another birdie before the end. I was very concentrated today and tonight I will speak with my coach about the strategy for tomorrow”.
Nardini (17) started from the 10th and fired six birdies, three each nine, on his bogey-free card.
“The back nine are more difficult but I started strong with three-under so a good game and especially the putting,” he said. “On the front nine, I kept playing well, so I’m very happy about it. I’m a very positive kind of player on the course, I don’t lose confidence if a hole goes wrong, on the contrary, I try to do better on the next and recover, that’s my attitude. I’m super happy to be up there on the leader board in a pro tournament, but this doesn’t mean I am as good as the pros yet! I’m happy to be here and play with them and will try to learn from them.”
