The professional competition has returned in full swing to Tecina Golf with the start of the 5th edition of the Fred. Olsen Alps de La Gomera, a tournament belonging to the Alps Tour. The first day was marked by a high level of play and a real flurry of birdies, making it clear that the battle for the title will be intense until the end. Italian Marco Florioli has taken the lead in the standings after the first 18 holes with a solid round of 7 under par, closely followed by Javier Barcos and Álvaro Quirós, tied for second place just one stroke behind.
The first leader of the tournament is the young Italian Marco Florioli, aged 20, who signed an excellent card of 64 strokes (-7). The player from Bergamo particularly shone on the first nine holes, where he recorded four birdies and an eagle, and finished with two more birdies and just one bogey on the second nine.
Florioli, playing his tenth event on the Alps Tour this season, is seeking his first victory on the circuit where his best result in 2025 is a sixth place at the Memorial Giorgio Bordoni. At Tecina Golf, he has started confidently and firmly, making it clear that he is ready to fight for the title. “Today I played very solidly, it was a great day from the tee and on the greens, I holed the putts I needed to. I missed some, but you can’t make them all, and I’m happy with that. Today the key was the second shots to the green, the course is wide, you can put the ball in play, it’s easier than on other courses, but then the greens are a bit tricky, and you have to leave it close, and that’s what I did today. We started without wind, but then it did start to blow a bit, although not too much. It’s difficult to read because it’s changeable.”
Hot on the leader’s heels, in joint second position, are two prominent Spaniards: Javier Barcos, member of the Pro Spain Team of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, and the veteran Álvaro Quirós, a legend of European golf competing for the first time at Tecina Golf. Both signed rounds of 65 strokes (-6). The Navarrese completed an impeccable round with six birdies without errors, while Quirós added eight birdies and two bogeys, showcasing his talent, experience, and the great golf he possesses.
Barcos expressed great satisfaction after the round: “Very happy because I’m playing well. The best part of my first nine holes was the putting, I made some good ones, and on the second nine, I hit good shots and was very consistent with my game overall. This is a course to make low scores. If you’re aggressive and the birdies come, I think it’s the right strategy this week. I’ve been playing well, and I hope this is the one.”
Álvaro Quirós, also pleased with his first day: “It was a very tidy round. The only moment of frustration, playing very well from tee to green, was that I wasn’t making birdies as the holes went by. On hole 5, a downhill par 3, I hit a good shot and three-putted. Those are the mental races I have to overcome, and today it went very well. I hit very good shots all day, and I’m very happy with my long game. The course is wonderful, the views are stunning, and it’s generous from the tee. Grateful to be here for the first time in La Gomera, and it’s truly a pleasure. The Hotel Jardín Tecina and the course are divine. Plus, I have my family here, and they’re having an even better time than I am.”
In joint fourth position (-5) is a group consisting of Quentin Debove, Juan Salama, Alfonso Buendía, Borja Martín, Javier Calles, and Hugo Espósito. A little further down, tied for tenth (-4), are three more Spaniards: David Salgado, Ignacio Gómez Osuna, and Álvaro Hernández Cabezuela.
In total, ten Spaniards are in the top 18, marking a great start in this first day of the Fred. Olsen Alps de La Gomera.
The second day will begin at 8 a.m. with the first match teeing off from the 1st hole at Tecina Golf. At the end of the day, the top 40 and ties will play the third and final round on Saturday.
