Rookie Adri Arnaus led a group of five Spaniards at the top end of the leaderboard in the Spanish Open. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

ADRI Arnaus leads the home charge at the Mutuactivos Open de España, but sits two strokes behind Norway’s Kristian Krogh-Johannessen, who carded an eight under par 63 to lead at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.

Johannessen, who started the day on the 10th tee, made the turn in four-under after three birdies and an eagle, dropping his only shot of the day at the par four 16^th hole.

The Norwegian, who seems to have been inspired by fellow countryman Viktor Hovland’s start to his PGA Tour career in the States, made four more gains on the front nine.

That included a birdie at the ninth as he posted eight-under, which was not beaten by the afternoon starters.

Krogh-Johannessen: “I’m out there having fun and playing smart. It’s a tricky course, but I’ve got a friend on the bag this week and we’re having fun out there.

“It was a good round. I didn’t hit it perfectly, but hit it in the right spots, even when I missed and I holed some good putts.

The 24-year-old, who turned pro in 2015, added: “I just need to keep calm, play my own game and not get stressed out there.

“It’s a bit tricky, so if you get stressed you start easily making mistakes. I just need to keep cool and play my own game.”

Arnaus is one of five home hopefuls inside the top 10 in the Spanish capital, carding a six-under 65 to take solo second.

He made the turn in six-under after four birdies and an eagle on his front nine, and finished his round with a birdie on the ninth to cancel out a bogey on the fourth.

Arnaus said: “It was such a fun round out there with the crowds following. I was really happy with how I played out there, especially the front nine – that was a lot of fun. I was happy to finish with a birdie on the ninth.

“I was six under through nine and finished birdie-birdie-birdie on my last holes on my front nine.

“That was amazing. I kept it going, but some of my putts on my back nine didn’t want to drop, but it finally dropped on the last, so I was really happy.”

The 24-year-old, who graduated from the European Challenge Tour last season, is making just his second appearance in his national Open.

Arnaus has enjoyed a fine rookie year on the European Tour, with three runner-up finishes in 2019 as he seeks his maiden victory – winning his natioanal Open in Madrid would cap a dream start to the rookie’s career.

Defending champion and World No. 5 Jon Rahm shares third place with compatriot Rafa Cabrera-Bello and four other golfers on five-under.

Rahm, who knew last year’s host course extremely well from his high school days, said: “It’s a tough golf course, you need to drive it well – and I did.

“The greens were perfect, they are the best greens I’ve putted on in Spain in my career as an amateur and as a pro.

“Me, Rafa and Adri played really well, especially on that front nine Adri got it going really well and me and Rafa were trying to catch up.

“My biggest challenge early on, and the reason I missed so many putts, is because I was trying to get the pace of the greens. They were so fast.

“I was getting used to the speed and the changes from last week to this week. Yesterday I did struggle with ball-striking, but I fixed it and stayed committed to the changes I made.”

“We all got it going and once we made the turn, everyone was there. Every time you’re hitting shots, even if you’re missing, you’re getting a lot of words of encouragement.”

Cabrera-Bello was also pleased with his start, saying: “I’m very pleased. It was a bogey free round, but it didn’t feel like it.

“There were a few occasions where I got into trouble and managed to save myself. I controlled my game the entire day, gave myself some chances and putted well. It was a good day and I knew I could post a good score.”

A further shot back is Spanish pair Samuel Del Val and Adrian Otaegui, who carded four-under 67s, sharing ninth with seven others.

•For live scores in round two click here.

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