Jorge Campillo (-4) and Rafa Cabrera Bello (-4) have made a notable start at the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed, a tournament of the DP World Tour and the Ladies European Tour taking place at the Vasatorps Golfklubb in Helsingborg, Sweden. They have placed themselves in the tenth position, far from an inspired Sebastian Soderberg (-9), a prophet in his land in this first round.
It was one of those Soderberg rounds where birdies fall in a cascade. He made seven and an eagle, once again demonstrating a tremendous ease to fly low. He quickly showed why he is one of the big favourites to win this week. In addition to playing at home, he is the second-best player in the tournament according to the world ranking, only behind Rasmus Hojgaard.
Two strokes behind Soderberg are Dylan Frittelli (-7) and Alex Fitzpatrick (-7), one ahead of Gavin Green (-6). As for the ladies, also local power. Linn Grant (-5), winner of the tournament in 2022 is the best classified tied with the Irish Lauren Walsh (-5). The best Spanish woman is Carmen Alonso (-1).
Cabrera Bello has put another brick in the reconstruction of his confidence today. Little by little. Step by step. The Canarian is doing very well. He did very well last week at the European Open, where he achieved a seventh position, his best result in 2024. He has already had six consecutive rounds under par, something that had not happened to him all season. As the Anglo-Saxons say, Rafa is trending…
Campillo’s first round also deserves a lot of credit. Last Sunday he was in Canada playing on the PGA Tour and this Thursday he has handed in an excellent card in Sweden. It has been busy weeks and with a lot of travel for the Extremaduran. Two Mondays ago he was in London to play the US Open qualifier, from there he travelled to Texas to play the Charles Schwab Challenge, next was the RBC Canadian Open and now to Sweden. Two transoceanic flights and four different countries in 15 days.
It is clear that Jorge finds it very easy to change his chip. Allow the play on words, as if something he has done well today in Sweden has been to chip around the green… and even inside it, as on the 7th, when he decided to chip from about 20 meters inside the green and holed it. One of the shots of the day. Birdie. He also put it in from outside on the 17th, about 10 meters from the hole and was also close to hole in the 14th, 12th, 5th, 3rd and 2nd. A real festival with the short clubs in hand. It should be added, moreover, that he played in the afternoon shift, when conditions were more difficult because the wind blew more, although it did not seem so for Soderberg.
As for the rest of the Spaniards, the start has been rather lukewarm. Santi Tarrio (-1), Ángel Hidalgo (-1) and Carmen Alonso (-1) are the only ones who have also made under par. While Luna Sobrón (PAR), Alex del Rey (PAR) and Nuria Iturrioz (PAR) have managed to equal the battle against the field. The PAR is currently outside the cut, so a good round tomorrow will be needed from many of ours to get into the cut. Among the top 29 classified there are eight girls and 21 boys.
