Danny List and Albert Boneta share a one-stroke lead after a low-scoring opening round of the D+D REAL Czech Challenge at Royal Beroun Golf Club.
Australian List and Spaniard Boneta both carded eight under par rounds of 62 to set the early pace, one clear of Dane Christian Jacobsen who occupies solo third.
List, who sits 56th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, was one of the early starters on day one kickstarted his week with five front nine birdies to go out in 29 strokes.
The 27-year-old dropped his only shot of the day on 13, but pieced together an impressive three-hole stretch from the 14th, which included two birdies and an eagle, to move to eight under par.
“I am really pleased with my opening round,” he said.
“The putter was hot today, and I hit some nice shots, so it was definitely an enjoyable round.
“I wasn’t happy coming off 13 but managed to pick up some shots of 14 and 15 before driving the green on 16 so that was a nice little stretch.”
Spaniard Boneta started on the tenth but caught fire on his back nine. Having played his first ten holes in one under par, seven birdies in his closing eight holes saw the 23-year-old use just 27 strokes coming home and move level with List at eight under.
“I was playing well on my front nine, but the putts weren’t dropping,” he said. “It was one of those days where you have to stay patient and I did a pretty good job with that.
“On the back nine the putts started dropping and I kept hitting good shots and it ended up good.”
Boneta took full advantage of the par threes on Royal Beroun’s front nine and closed out with back-to-back twos on holes eight and nine.
“They’re difficult, short holes,” he added. “I hit five iron and two six irons to reach. I tried to aim for the middle of the green on nine and pulled it slightly, which actually took it closer to the pin.”
Thailand’s Denwit David Boriboonsub, France’s Clement Charmasson, Dutchman Lars van Meijel, Scottish duo Euan Walker and Ryan Lumsden, Denmark’s Jonathan Gøth-Rasmussen and Italian Luca Cianchetti sit in a share of fourth, two shots off the lead.
The second round of the D+D REAL Czech Challenge gets under way at 7:30am on Friday, with List teeing off at 1:30pm alongside van Meijel and Chilean Gabriel Morgan. Boneta will begin his second round at 8:30am alongside Welshman Rhys Enoch and Englishman Chris Paisley.
