Dan Bradbury leads the Italian Open by a single shot after flying out of the blocks in Thursday’s first round.
The two-time DP World Tour winner opened with four successive birdies before picking up another shot at the 7th to turn in 30.
He made just the one birdie on the back nine but managed to keep the bogeys off his card to sign for a flawless 64.
The Englishman’s six-under-par total leaves him one clear of home favourite Francesco Laporta and Norway’s Andreas Halvorsen, who had set the early clubhouse target in the morning.
Brandon Robinson-Thompson, Angel Ayora, Wil Besseling, Marcel Schneider and Kazuma Kobori were in a tie for fourth on four under.
Richard Sterne made the best start among the South Africans, carding a two-under 68 that included three birdies and a bogey. Shaun Norris and Jayden Schaper were one shot back.
Bradbury got off to a strong start in the afternoon, sending his approach at the 1st to four feet before rolling in the putt for an opening birdie.
He made another from similar range on the par-five 2nd before holing from 15 feet at the 3rd for a hat-trick.
The 25-year-old then made it four in a row from four feet on the 4th to get within a single shot of the lead.
He joined early starter Halvorsen at the summit with a 10-footer at the 7th before holing from 20 feet on the 15th to hit the front on his own.
Bradbury, who had further chances to increase his advantage, said: “That was a nice way to start. I hit it close on the 1st, which was a great way to start.
“I tried to keep it going, but lost it a little bit – I’ll still take the day. I missed a chance at the end, but I’d have taken that score standing on the 1st tee.
“My last tournament round was Amsterdam, so that was a nice way to finish with five under. Coming here, I’m playing better. I feel like I’ve been playing well all year but not getting the results.
“I don’t know what it is, but I feel like I’m doing the exact same thing but signing for lower scores. It doesn’t make sense, but I’ll take it. I’m not complaining.
“Sometimes you can just see the putts. Today I felt like I putted solid overall, but you have to be in play. If you’re in the rough, especially around the greens, it’s just a lottery.
“Hitting fairways, hitting greens and trying not to get too frustrated.”
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– Edited article from DP World Tour website
Photo: Luke Walker/Getty Images
Article Link: Bradbury leads the way in Italy