Adri Arnaus (-6) discovered the Albatross Golf Resort course in Prague in 2019. Love at first sight. Since then, he promised himself to play the Czech Masters whenever he could, as the course became part of his favourites list. This year the tournament is not being played at the Albatross, but the PGA National OAKS Prague is making its debut. The love continues. Arnaus’ connection with the Czech Republic goes beyond the Albatross. He started this Thursday with a magnificent card of 66 strokes, without bogeys, and has placed himself in eighth position, one stroke from second place and two from the lead held by the veteran South African Pieter Moolman (-8).
The key to Arnaus’ great round of golf was patience. The first birdie didn’t come until the 7th, after six consecutive pars. He had some good options that didn’t go in, but he didn’t despair and waited for his opportunity. Also very important were the two putts of just under two metres that he made for par in that stretch on holes 3 and 6. Arnaus’ 66 is a result of his good play. Of the six birdies, only two came with more or less long putts, on the 10th, of six metres, and on the 18th of about eight.
Arnaus has played very orderly from tee to green and is regaining his best feelings with the putter. The golfer from Moià needs a good push to the season to look at the Dubai Final, but the truth is that there is still a lot left and his game is in clear improvement in recent weeks. The only thing he is missing is to give continuity to the four days. We’ll see if it comes in Prague.
In addition, good start for Adrián Otaegui (-4) and Santi Tarrio (-3), on a first day where good results have been a constant. In this sense, the provisional cut is currently at -2 and tomorrow it could well be -3 or -4. Just at that figure of two under par are Nacho Elvira (-2) and Rafa Cabrera Bello (-2). They can’t be confident to get into the weekend.
Behind, there will be rowing. These are the cases of Manu Elvira (-1), Iván Cantero (-1), Ángel Hidalgo (-1), Alfredo García Heredia (PAR), Sebas García (+1) and Alex del Rey (+7), who will need an impressive round this Friday to play the last two days.
As for the top of the table, we must highlight the start of Brandon Robinson Thompson (-7), winner last week on the Challenge Tour, as well as Sung Kang (-7), a regular on the PGA Tour, or Jesper Svensson (-7), who seems to be running wild in pursuit of one of the ten cards on the American circuit.
