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| photo: Getty Images |
Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey got off to a perfect start at Bro Hof Slott to establish an early lead during the first round of the Nordea Masters.
The 33 year old, who has won three of his four European Tour titles in the last 12 months, birdied the tenth and 11th – his first two holes – and added another gain at the long 15th to reach three under par after eight holes.
That gave Hoey a one shot lead over a group of six players including local favourites Michael Jonzon and Niclas Fasth – both amongst the contingent of Swedes looking to make it three wins in a row at this event for the home nation.
They were joined on two under par by Ballantine’s Championship winner Bernd Wiesberger, Chile’s Felipe Aguilar, France’s Raphaël Jacquelin and England’s Chris Wood.
Last week’s winner Thongchai Jaidee turned in a one over par 37 after a double bogey seven at the 15th, but Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia reached the turn one under.
Defending champion Alex Noren, World Number Three Lee Westwood and his Ryder Cup teammate Peter Hanson were among the afternoon starters.
Hoey added another birdie at the 18th to turn in 32, but he had company at the top of the leaderboard when Frenchman Julien Guerrier followed an eagle three at the 12th with a birdie at the next.
Jonzon made it a three-way tie when he holed 20 footer for birdie at the short fourth, where Garcia almost holed his tee shot.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry raced into solo fourth by matching Guerrier’s eagle at the 12th to race to three under through five.
