Giacomo Tonelli leader, Mark Murphy close

Italy’s Giacomo Tonelli signed for the best score 66, 6 under on America course in La Cala. On his toes on stroke back, famous Golf Channel Big Break 2012 winner, Ireland’s Mark Murphy. A pack of five players are -4. The score to be in precious top 30 today was one under.

Giacomo Tonelli is 25 year old and just completed his fourth season on the Alps Tour. It was a poor one he confessed.

“I was really not happy about my game during the last season on the Alps Tour, so I worked a lot with my coach Andrea Basciu before the Qualifying school and now I feel really confident, everything went well today so I’m very happy. Even if I started with a bogey, I holed 6 birdies and ended my round with an eagle. Giorgio De Pieri who was my caddy me today helped me a lot keeping me calm and he told me everything during all the round, also when I had to drink and eat.”

His challenger today was Ireland’s Mark Murphy, 34 year old. Murphy’s experience is for sure bigger than most of the field. First of all he is 34 year old but most of all he was Rocco Mediate caddy on PGA Tour during 12 years. His name is famous as well thanks to his victory last february in the TV game “Big Break” aired on Golf Channel. He admitted he was not in his plan to come to play on the Alps Tour.

“I did not want to play here but I missed the Q school stage 2 of European Tour. I was very disappointed because I was really confident I could get through. Here, I don’t have any expectation and I will see what come everyday”.

By Agathe Séron