Great first step by Rocco Repetto (-5) at the Hainan Open, the first of two HotelPlanner Tour tournaments in China. The golfer from Málaga has positioned himself in fourth place after delivering a scorecard of 67 strokes at the Sanya Luhuitou Golf Club. Repetto is keen to secure his promotion to the DP World Tour swiftly. In fact, a top 5 finish this week would seal it with two tournaments to spare, the second stop in China next week and the Grand Final in Mallorca.
Repetto delivered a magnificent performance this Thursday on the island of Hainan. He started on the 10th hole and soon, on the 12th, scored his first birdie. He continued with pars until the 2nd hole, where he began a superb sequence of four under par in seven holes. A clean round of bogeys and full of solidity. Pure consistency. Only rounds without bogeys have been seen. Special attention should be given to his birdie on the 9th hole, the toughest of the day in China. It’s a par 4 that played with an average of 4.38.
Repetto currently holds the twelfth position in the Road to Mallorca. His promotion is not yet secured, but it’s well on track. The sooner he resolves this matter, the better. Moreover, the higher he finishes in the Road, the better his chances of entering tournaments next year on the DP World Tour. Last year, 715 points were needed to secure the card (20th place on the Road) and in 2023, 852 points were required. It’s quite reasonable to think that reaching 800 points should be enough to ensure at least that 20th place. Well, Rocco would reach that figure with a top 5 this week, precisely the position he holds after the first round. A good start.
The Andalusian golfer is two strokes behind the two leaders, German Jan Schneider (-7), a 27-year-old player settled in the Chinese circuit, and Portuguese Pedro Figueiredo (-7), another who is fully involved in the fight for the DP World Tour card and needs good results.
In addition to Repetto’s good start, Albert Boneta (-3) should be highlighted, with five birdies and two bogeys. Notable. Just a step away from the top 10. The Catalan golfer still needs to secure his presence in the great Final in Mallorca. A great reaction after starting with a bogey on his second hole. Also under par are Lucas Vacarisas (-2), Sebas García (-1), Quim Vidal (-1), and Víctor Pastor (-1). On the other hand, Adri Arnaus (+1) and Borja Virto (+4) have started on the wrong foot and will need an urgent change of pace this Friday to make the cut.
