Red hot start for De Stefani

Corrado De Stefani of Italy Credit: Tristan Jones

Corrado De Stefani of Italy holed no less than 8 birdies in Preisch Golf Course to sign for 67, -5 and took a one stroke lead over England’s Josh Loughrey.

It was a windy opening round of Citadelle International Trophy and only 20 players out of 126 managed to break par on long 6456 meter course. De Stefani had a 7^th place last week, his best result tie when he recorded this position in Egypt beginning of the year. One shot back, Loughrey, winner in Tunisia in May, signed for flawless card with 4 birdies.

A group of 4 very different players is -3. France’s Alan Bihan, former Challenge Tour player, who had his best Alps Tour season in 2010, Tim Gornik from Slovenia, who won the Alps tour Q School last December to enter the pro golf world, Jason Kelly from Norway, excellent player but excellent business as well and last not not least, Italy’s Andrea Maestroni, 2004 Alps Tour winner and former European Tour player, back on the best form this season as he won once and is currently in the top 5 of the Alps Tour ranking.

The projected cut is +1 after one round.