Nacho Elvira (-7) has put on a small exhibition at the start of the Soudal Open of the DP World Tour. The Cantabrian golfer has not only delivered an outstanding card of 64 strokes, not only has he placed himself in the second position of the tournament, not only has he completed the 18 holes without making any mistakes, but he has also done all this offering a supreme level of golf at the Rinkven International Golf Club in Antwerp, Belgium.
Elvira has made seven birdies without a mistake, although the most important thing is that he has practically had no chance of making a bogey. He only had to recover once, on hole 6, with a magnificent approach and putt from 40 meters. Beyond that, all have been birdie opportunities and only two, on 9 and 11, can be considered as impossible, as the range was very far.
It is true that a 64 does not come out of the blue. In addition to playing well from tee to green, Nacho has putted very well on the Belgian greens. He has made a lot of putts between three and five meters, including the great tube of the day on hole 13, from about ten meters. It has been a clinic in all areas of the game.
Elvira is two strokes behind the lead held by New Zealander Sam Jones (-9), a 27-year-old golfer from the school who has only made four cuts this year on the DP World Tour and whose best result has been a 25th at Leopard Creek. He hasn’t played for two months in India. In addition, Nacho is tied for second place with the Englishmen Matthew Jordan and Andrew Wilson, the Frenchman Romain Langasque and the Dane Niklas Norgaard. Contrary to what usually happens, better results have been recorded in the afternoon.
Speaking of the Spaniards, the start of the Soudal Open has been very positive. In addition to Elvira’s second place, we must add the provisional top 10 of Álex del Rey (-5). He has signed four birdies, an eagle and a solitary bogey. The Madrid player deserves special merit, as Rinkven is not exactly a course that perfectly suits his characteristics, quite the contrary. He can hardly take out the driver and it is advisable to have a very well defined strategy.
In the noble area of the tournament is also Ángel Hidalgo (-4), who played in the morning, as well as Adrián Otaegui (-3). Also within the provisional cut, currently set at two under par, are Adri Arnaus (-2) and Manu Elvira (-2). The rest will have to row this Friday, including the -1 of Alfredo García Heredia, Sebas García Rodríguez or Pablo Larrazábal. With more problems are Rafa Cabrera Bello (PAR), Iván Cantero (+2) and Santi Tarrio (+3).
As for the rest of the names, we must highlight that of Thomas Pieters (-4). The LIV Golf golfer has had a solid start and has placed himself well in the upper area of the tournament at the first change.
