– It took some doing, due to the more than five-hour delay accumulated on Thursday because of the fog, but the Omega European Masters has finally wrapped up the first full day with a sole leader, the Frenchman Adrien Saddier (-8), who signed an exuberant card with six birdies, an eagle, and no bogeys. This is not the first display from the Frenchman this season, the best of his career, as he is determinedly seeking one of the ten PGA Tour cards distributed at the end of the season on the European circuit.
– One shot behind Saddier are Thriston Lawrence (-7) and Jordan Smith (-7). Following them is a packed group of eight players with a total of -5, including Iván Cantero, who had reached the co-lead of the tournament, being one of the few who could finish the first round yesterday, Thursday, and who today will only play three or four holes late in the afternoon.
– This week, beyond the fight for victory, the focus is on the final sprint for a place in the European Ryder Cup team. Matt Fitzpatrick (-4) was the first to make a statement, but Matt Wallace (-5) responded by signing a spectacular five-under-par on the back nine of the Crans Sur Sierre Golf Club, where he is precisely defending the title he won here last year. He knows he probably needs to win to get into Donald’s equation and seems willing to try. Wallace is set to play the second round this afternoon, which he will have time to finish, so in a few hours, we will have an even clearer perception of the fight he can put up on all fronts, the final victory and successful title defense, and the Ryder Cup, so coveted by this player.
– The rest of the Ryder candidates, more or less remote, more or less in contention, need to push hard. In fact, Nicolai Hojgaard (+3), for example, already has a tough time even making the cut after handing in a 73. We will also know in a few hours if this is the case. Marco Penge (PAR) is trailing behind Fitzpatrick and Wallace, much like Alex Noren (-1), although the Swede would really need to win and put on a show to be considered by Donald.
