Mario Galiano (-4) has given a lesson to the wind and his own history in the first round of the Challenge de Cádiz. The golfer from Cádiz, born in La Línea, raised in La Cañada and residing in Secadero, delivered the best card of the afternoon at the Iberostar Real Novo Sancti Petri and has placed himself in the top area of the leaderboard, three strokes behind the leader, Quim Vidal (-7) and two behind Rocco Repetto (-6). Spain takes the lead at the start in the province of Cádiz.
We focus on Galiano’s card because of its significance. It goes far beyond the simple (and magnificent) result. Firstly, because he did it in very challenging conditions, with easterly winds in the afternoon that often exceeded 40 kilometres per hour. In fact, of the 45 under-par rounds delivered during the day, only 13 came in the afternoon. And of the nine players who scored under 70, only Mario did so teeing off after midday. A great achievement. He beat his turn by two strokes. A round to remember.
Moreover, it holds significant meaning as it is his best round ever in Andalucía in DP World Tour or Challenge Tour tournaments. It was like a thorn in his side. He had a good week at the Challenge de España played in Sancti Petri during the Covid year, when spectators were not allowed at tournaments. He finished 22nd there. Beyond that, his performances on home soil have been missed cuts or early withdrawals. He had bad luck. It was almost as if playing at home weighed him down. The quirks of golf.
The reality is that he had never performed well in front of his people, and today, finally in Sancti Petri, he was able to shine in front of family and friends with one of those rounds that showcase the immense quality hidden in the hands of the golfer from Tesorillo. Galiano made six birdies and two bogeys. He started off strong, with two birdies in the first six holes, a slightly more open area, without many trees, although where the wind has a significant impact. He finished his first nine holes with two bogeys on the par 3s but recovered wonderfully with two more birdies on the 11th and 13th, taking advantage of the few birdie opportunities available on the back nine of this course when accompanied by a strong easterly wind. Even more merit was those three pars on the tricky 16th, 17th, and 18th.
In short, Galiano finished and let out a sigh heard throughout Andalucía. He was eager to sign off a round of this calibre on his home turf. Golf is good, in its place. He won at the end of last year in the Alps and has already had some opportunities this year. The desire to succeed is more alive than ever, and that is the fire he wants to harness to complete a great week in Sancti Petri.
