Jorge Campillo (-7) has shown the way and the rest of the Armada have followed like a herd of stampeding buffalo. A state of euphoria has been declared in China after the first round of the Hainan Classic, a DP World Tour event that opens the Asian swing. Not only has the Extremaduran pushed right to the top, second at the end of the day one stroke behind the American Jordan Gumberg (-8), but as many as five more Spaniards have placed themselves inside the top 20. Six bulls, six. Or six buffalo, to keep the same metaphor.
The afternoon provided plenty of action. Rocco Repetto (-4) and Adri Arnaus (-4) are in the top 10. Good. A fine start. On paper, Repetto’s round probably deserves more credit, as it was on the Blackstone course, the tougher of the two layouts hosting this peculiar Pro Am tournament. But, as we say, on paper, since in the end the results were very close. In the afternoon play was better on the Blackstone, as the greens at the Vintage have become quite unruly.
Repetto made six birdies and two bogeys. He started the round like a rocket, with three consecutive birdies from 10 to 12, stumbled with a bogey at 13, but it did not change his momentum. He continued to play spectacular golf. It was one of those easy rounds. He shot four under when it could have been six or seven. In fact, he left a great eagle opportunity on the 2 after hitting a textbook drive and a perfect mini drive, and on the 8 he made his second bogey by missing a short putt. His long game is in fine form and he only needs four days to click into showing his true potential. You could see what a great player he is, he has shown more than drops of that elixir, but he lacks finishing with a full bottle. Four days. One tournament. At the end he was going to roll a few short putts to improve the feel.
Arnaus delivered a great round at a moment that is not easy for him. He has been unable to return to his home in Dubai due to the armed conflict in Iran. He had to get some clubs in London and has now returned to playing golf, albeit with the worry of what is happening in the United Arab Emirates on his mind. Sometimes golf can also serve as a sensational refuge, because it doesn’t allow you to think about many other things.
The Spanish festival on this first day is completed by Nacho Elvira (-3), who played in the morning, Ángel Hidalgo (-3) and Rafa Cabrera Bello (-3). The Cantabrian played the Vintage, while the Málaga native and the Canarian passed the Blackstone test with flying colours. Rafa made as many as six birdies, while Ángel managed to minimise mistakes with a solitary bogey.
Those are the six Spaniards in the top 20, but that’s not the end of it. On -2 are Eugenio Chacarra and Iván Cantero, well placed, just two shots off the top 10, while Ángel Ayora and Sebas García sit on -1. It’s by no means a bad start. The tournament has only just begun and many things can still happen, but Spain has put up a good arsenal of chances to win or, at least, to put on a strong showing.
Gumberg, the first leader of the Hainan Classic, appears determined to spare himself the anguish of last year over retaining his card. As you may recall, the American holed his third shot for eagle from the fairway on the final hole of the last tournament of the year to save his playing rights
