Day one digest: 2021 Acciona Open de España presented by Madrid

Everything you need to know from day one in Madrid.

Ross broke records, Jon had the fans jumping, Grant made an ace and Adri was pulling rabbits out of hats in the opening round of the 2021 Acciona Open de España presented by Madrid.

Here is everything you need to know from day one at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

McGowan makes more Madrid magic

We are just three days short of the 12th anniversary of Ross McGowan winning his first European Tour title at the Madrid Masters and the Englishman is once again starring in the Spanish capital. He missed 16 of 19 cuts following his second win at last season's Italian Open but the 39-year-old is rediscovering his form and was at his very best as he carded a course record 61 to get to ten under and lead the way by one after 18 holes. "I think a few things have clicked," he said. "Some work I have done with the coach and some of the Covid restrictions somewhat easing off, I find mentally I am in a better place, so I think it is a combination of the two. I always seem to putt pretty well here and last time I played quite well here too, so looking forward to tomorrow."

Rahm loving being back on home soil

McGowan may be top of the leaderboard but it is safe to say Jon Rahm is top of the bill this week as he looks for a third consecutive victory at his national open. The World Number One carded an eight under 63 and, after being robbed of this event by the coronavirus pandemic last season, the fans were delighted to have him back. "There are quite a few fans out here and they are rather enthusiastic, they have been cooped up for too long and they have the chance to come out and watch me play," said Rahm. "I haven’t played on Spanish soil since this event two years ago, so they are golf hungry and they were great." There'll be quite the party if the local hero lifts the trophy again on Sunday.

Garcia Rodriguez finds his groove

Coming into this week Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez had missed nine cuts in a row. In round one he carded a 62 to separate McGowan and Rahm on the leaderboard. "My start is fantastic, it’s in my mind," he said. "I remember so many years ago playing the Open de España and it was a great moment, plus Jon Rahm is near the front and I am very good friends with him, we played a lot together and it is fantastic. So many fans, my friends and family are here. It's my dream!" His lowest European Tour round was definitely worth the wait.

Forrest plays chase the ace

It's not often you get three eagles in one round and it's even rarer that one of them is a hole-in-one but Grant Forrest achieved that feat on Thursday as he holed an eight iron from 181 yards on the ninth. "It was just a perfect eight iron," he said. "The way that green is you have to just go straight at the pin. We heard the cheers but we couldn't actually see the bottom of the hole from the tee. It's my first one at a tournament so it's pretty special." We have now had 31 holes-in-one on the 2021 Race to Dubai.

Wizardry from Arnaus

Not many players go for the green at the 442 yard sixth but then not many players are Adri Arnaus. The drive may not have been his best but the second was something very special. Birdie all day.