VYSOKY UJEZD, Czech Republic – Both Eduardo De la Riva and Renato Paratore shot a 7-under 65 to take a shared lead after the first round at the Czech Masters Thursday.
The 33-year old Spaniard De La Riva recovered from an early bogey on the 2nd with six birdies. He finished his round by holing for an eagle on the par-4 18th from the fairway with one of the shots of the day to join Paratore at the top of the leaderboard.
“Today, I played very solid,” De La Riva said. “It’s very good to finish with 2 in a par 4. This 18th is a very difficult hole. So, I’m very happy.”
The 18-year-old Italian Paratore produced a flawless round with seven birdies.
“Today, I played really solid from the tee to the green and on the back nine I putted really well,” he said. “So I’m happy with a 65. It is my best round on The European Tour.”
Both leaders are seeking the first European Tour victory at the Albatross Golf course near Prague.
A group of four, Englishmen Matt Fitzpatrick and Sam Hutsby, Pelle Edberg of Sweden and Thomas Pieters of Belgium were one stroke back after carding 66.