Giner shot low in his garden

Finally a real spring day to celebrate the first round of Peugeot Alps de Barcelona. Spain’s Ivo Giner, touring pro of San Cugat golf club, shot a wonderful 8 under par card to lead by one over England’s Jack Senior. Carlos Aguilar and European Tour winner Pablo Larrazabal share 3^rd place tie at 6 under. Javier Ballesteros pleased his fans. He signed for 65, 5 under and confessed as a joke that he was happy to have scored 8 shots better that his father in 1974…

Ivo Giner admitted that knowing very well the almost 100 years of age golf course of San Cugat helps him a lot. The course is short but full of tricks and almost each hole offer a safe option and an agressive one.

“I holed for eagle on the 17th, after hitting a good driver and holed an approach from 40 meters. I played well, did not make any mistakes, I saved a bogey chance with a good putt. I am happy. I missed birdie chances but I saved them for other days.”

Javier Ballesteros, 21 year old, is still amateur. Today was his first round on a pro event and he discovered thanks to the press that his father stated his professional career 38 years ago on the same golf course.

“I started a bit nervous, I thought I wouldn’t be but I was, but I hit a great drive on the first hole (the 8th) that calmed me a lot and I Holed a good birdie there. Then it has been a good round, I did not get into troubles except for the 3 putts on 16th. I played very solid from tee to green. I hit 18 greens, the best part of my game was short game. I have enjoyed very much playing with Pablo Larrazabal, I have seen him hitting incredible shots, he is the type of player I like, natural and talented. It has been a great round that I dedicate my father, I think he would be happy”.

The projected cut is -1.

From San Cugat
Agathe Séron