Norwegian rookie Kristoffer Reitan who tied Tabuena at the top of the leaderboard at Lake Karrinyup after both shot seven-under par 65s. Picture by GETTY IMAGES
NORWAY’S Kristoffer Reitan and Miguel Tabuena carded opening rounds of 65 to share the lead after day one of the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth.
Out in the first group of the day off the 10th, Tabuena made eight birdies in his opening nine holes to tie a European Tour record and added another gain on the first before two bogeys moved him to seven under par at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.
Reitan came through all three stages of Qualifying School as an amateur last year and the Norwegian carded eight birdies and a bogey to join Tabuena at the summit in just his fifth event since turning professional.
The delighted 20-year-old from Scandinavia, who played in the Junior Ryder Cup in 2016, said: “I’m really happy with that round. Played some good golf tee to green and holed some putts as well.
“Throughout the last year I qualified for the US Open and qualified for the European Tour through Q-School, so it’s something maybe with the qualifying mindset that I enjoy. I hope that can work to my advantage this week.
“I’m enjoying my rookie season. I’m just trying to learn every week. Even if I play really bad I’m trying to learn something, and if I play well, it might be because I’ve learned something.
“So, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from every tournament and try to unlock my best golf.”
Both Reitan and Tabuena recorded their lowest rounds on the European Tour so far to sit two shots ahead of New Zealander Benjamin Campbell and England’s Richard McEvoy.
Tabuena, from the Philipines, who won his national open on the Asian Tour in 2015, said: “Shooting seven-under on Thursday is not a bad score.
“My alarm was 3:30 in the morning, but it paid off and I’m pretty happy with my position. I love coming to Perth and it feels like home. The weather’s similar, the courses are similar, and it’s great to be back.
Asked whether magical 59 score had entered his head after the turn – after a blistering start playing the back nine from the 10th – said: [I tried to keep it in the back of my head, but it caught up to me on the third and fourth hole.“
“I started to force some stuff, which I shouldn’t have, and it cost me. I can’t force stuff (on Friday), I can’t play too aggressive and I’ve just got to make my putting work.
So does he fancy emulating past champions Brett Rumford and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, another player to have graduated from the Asian Tour, by winning the event and earn an exemption to the European Tour?
Miguel said: “A win? Oh, my gosh, it would mean everything. To play full time on the European Tour is a goal for me.”
Aussies Nick Flanagan and Brad Kennedy are the leading the home charge at four-under, alongside India’s SSP Chawrasia, Anton Karlsson of Sweden, Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey and Kiwi Ryan Fox.
Essex’s Richard McEvoy, looking for his second European Tour win after claiming the Porsche European Open in July, was also very pleased with his opening round.
The Thorpe Hall member who played in the same Walker Cup winning side as Luke Donald, Graham McDowell and Marc Warren, in 2001 , said: “I polayed some solid golf. Two dropped shots on 16 and 17, but apart from that, seven birdies, so very pleased.
“You’ve just got to keep plugging away, try and get up there on the leaderboard and try to get into that top five, top 10, and then hopefully on Saturday that gives you an even better chance of being in the top 24.
“But also if you’re in the top eight you get a bye for the first round of matchplay, so that’s a bonus as well.
“I love it here. I’ve been here quite a few times now, I think this is my fourth or fifth trip to Karrinyup.
“It really suits my eye, love the golf course, which is why I come back year after year.”
The innovative event is in its third consecutive year on the Race to Dubai, with 54 holes of traditional stroke play across the first three days before the top 24 players compete in a six-hole knockout match play format in the fourth and final round.
