Daniel Jennevret
MAYNOOTH, Ireland (Aug. 8, 2012) -- 22 year old Daniel Jennevret of Sweden holds the lead on day one of the Chartis Europe sponsored European Amateur Golf Championship being played at Carton House, Maynooth. The Swedish international, who was the leading qualifier at the British Amateur this year, carded an eight under par opening round of 64 which included six birdies and an eagle to equal Damien Mooney's course record on the Montgomerie designed track located just outside Dublin.
"I started off pretty well, hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens. I started to get the putter rolling, made a good putt on the second for birdie and hit it close all the time. I started to really get it going on seven, eight and nine."
It was the last four holes on his front nine that allowed Jennevret to make his move, making birdies on six, seven and nine, while also making eagle on the par five eighth hole to turn in just 30 strokes.
A solid back nine saw birdies again at 13 and a closing birdie on the final hole rounded off a flawless round and gave the Swede a two shot lead over the field that includes Garrick Porteous (England) and Thomas Pieters (Belgium) who lie on 66.
"I started to get a little tired at the end, but I just kept hitting the big spots, hitting middle of the greens leaving longer putts, making it harder to make birdie". Tiredness aside, he won't forget this round for a while, his lowest ever round of golf on a course he only played for the first time this week.
The defending champion looks set to relinquish his title even at this early stage, as Manuel Trappel from Austria had a 79 and is 15 shots behind the leader.
The best Irish player was West Waterford's Gary Hurley who made three birdies over the closing four holes to finish with a 68 and a tie for fifth. The 19 year old has had an impressive season so far, and has achieved his goal of making the Home Internationals later this month following a joint second finish at the Irish Close in June.
"My goal was to make the Home Internationals and to do well in all the tournaments I play in, which I have done bar a few bad rounds but it's been a successful year so far, hopefully it can get better".
Irish Close Champion Chris Selfridge from Moyola Park didn't have the best day, carding a 74, but he is not out of contention after a tough first day.
"I was all over the place. I was in seven bunkers off the tee. Not even bad tee shots, just average tee shots and just all over the place. My short game was good, I putted well on the back nine. I felt that I got the most out of it (the round). I eagled the last hole and really grinded as much as I could, at least I still have a chance."
The eagle on the par five 18th hole was the only highlight of his round. "I don't know why but I hit a perfect tee shot, perfect three iron to six feet, holed the putt. I don't know where it came from or what I done. Two rounds in the 60s over the next two days, surely you won't be any worse that tenth."
The only other Irish player of the 17 in the field under par is Portmarnock’s Geoff Lenehan who gained a place in the field off the waiting list on Tuesday. He shot a two under par round of 70 and lies inside the top twenty.
ABOUT THE European Amateur
The premier championship in
Europe,
conducted by the European Golf
Association,
which is comprised of 38 member
countries. 72
hole stroke play format. After 54 holes the field is cut
to the leading 60 players and ties. The winner earns
a spot in the British Open.
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