DS Automobiles 83° Open d'Italia: Day one digest

Edoardo finished in style, Guido was grateful, Dan hit a landmark and Angel, well, we're not quite sure. Here is everything you need to know from day one at Circolo Golf Torino.

Dodo delights with big finish

Edoardo Molinari birdied four of his last five holes to set a new course record on his home course and surge into the lead after day one. The 45-year-old has endured a torrid time with injury since regaining his card via the 2024 Qualifying School, playing just 16 events due to first wrist and then thumb surgery. But making just his sixth start of the season and sitting 205th on the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World, he rolled back the years and carded a 63 to get to eight under on a sweltering day in Turin. Should nobody else go lower this week, Molinari will take home the US$40,000 Course Record Award presented by Nexo. “It was great,” said the Ryder Cup Vice Captain. “I had a few weeks off before this event and I tried to put my swing a bit together because I wasn't really playing very well in the beginning of the season. I had my family, my wife, my kids, my physio who I spent the last six months with pretty much every day. He did an amazing job together with everyone else. It was a very pleasing day." Chilean Joaquin Niemann was one shot back with the top 15 - which contains seven Spaniards - separated by three shots.

Migliozzi hails groundstaff

Guido Migliozzi was full of praise for the groundstaff as he was among the home charge on day one. Circolo Golf Torino has not been spared the sweltering temperatures that are currently being felt across Europe, with the rare decision taken on Thursday to allow players to wear shorts in a competitive round. The heat did not prevent the fans from turning out in their numbers, however, to see DP World Tour stars taking on a course that remained lush and fair despite the punishing temperatures. “The course is a bit wet even if it’s very, very hot but it’s how they’re trying to prepare it because they’re very scared to burn it out and we don’t want to play on burned grass,” said Migliozzi, who was six under. "So they’re doing a good job. Maybe it’s a bit scoreable but also you have to hit it very nice to have a birdie chance, so it’s very fun to play.”

Ton up for Bradbury

Dan Bradbury said his DP World Tour journey so far had far exceeded his expectations as he made his 100th start. Since making his debut as a professional at the Cazoo Classic on home soil in July 2022, the Englishman has won three DP World Tour titles. Earlier this year he won a second Joburg Open crown, while he has also lifted the trophy at the FedEx Open de France and that is all a far cry from where he was less than four years ago. "It’s pretty cool [to reach my 100th start]," he said. "When I got a couple of invites back in 2022, I didn’t think I’d be here and happy to have done it so quickly. I have seen the world. I have been to so many places that I would never have gone to without the DP World Tour so that’s been amazing. Obviously, the three wins are the highlights."

Old Pablo brings new hope

Pablo Larrazábal is hopeful he has turned a corner after a torrid soul-searching period of form that has seen him go back to basics. The Spaniard, who is into his 19th consecutive season on golf’s global tour, is on an unwanted run of nine missed cuts that started at the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa in February. But he carded a first-round five-under-par 66 in Turin that was his best score since the first round at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship in February 2025 when he lost in a play-off. “I played great golf. The first ten holes, I played like the old Pablo,” he said. "My long game and everything was very good. After all these months, going to three [under], then four, then five, going back to four, going back to five... coming in with the chances to put one or two more on the scorecard. I'm very, very, very proud of myself."

Can you smell something?

Freshly baked bread, smoked bacon, salty sea air - there are many evocative smells in this world. You could add freshly cut grass to that list for some but a divot? Probably not. Unless you're Angel Ayora.