Félix Mory, Baard Skogen, Anders Emil Ejlersen and Alfie Plant share a one-stroke lead after a low-scoring opening day at the Dormy Open.
The quartet all signed for eight under par rounds of 63 at Upsala GolfKlubb to set the early pace, one clear of Icelander Magnus Haraldur, Welshman Toby Hunt and Dutchman Vince van Veen.
Frenchman Mory, who sits 12th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, produced six birdies and an eagle during an impressive bogey-free opening round. Having made the most of the calm morning conditions, the 30-year-old was pleased with his effort.
“I am very happy, it’s always nice to have a low round like this,” he said. “I played well the whole round and didn’t really make any mistakes.
“The calm conditions make it a little easier for everyone. They were soft and there wasn’t any wind. It’s rare, on the HotelPlanner Tour we are always playing in the wind, so it’s nice for a change.”
Norwegian Skogen opened with three consecutive birdies before adding five further gains on the back nine, including four in a row between holes 14 and 17.
“I am awfully pleased with that opening round,” the 23-year-old said.
“I haven’t played well recently so it was good to get a good round in. I made a lot of putts today which obviously helps.
“I haven’t hit the ball very well recently, so I haven’t put myself in positions to make putts but obviously it helps when the putter is hot.”
Dane Emil Ejlersen, starting on the tenth, fired eight first round birdies, including four in a row to close out his front nine, to join Mory, Skogen and Plant on eight under par.
The 26-year-old, who sits 40th on the Nordic Golf League’s Order of Merit, is looking to make the most of what is only his fourth start on the Road to Mallorca this year.
“I haven’t played well for a long time now, but I played well today and holed a lot of putts, which is always a good thing,” he said.
“I just showed up with no expectations, ready to play and played freely today. We don’t get to play in conditions like this very often so when the weather is like this you simply must take advantage.”
Plant, who sits 49th in the Rankings, made eight birdies and didn’t drop a shot on Thursday as he eyes a third HotelPlanner Tour victory.
“It was a perfect start,” he said. “It was a lovely day out on the course today, the wind was down, and the greens are fantastic, so I really enjoyed myself.
“I holed a lot of putts today which was nice, and I made a couple of good par putts to keep momentum going. Overall, the game was in good shape.
Spaniard Rocco Repetto Taylor, Welshman Jack Davidson, Italian Filippo Celli, American Matt Sharpstene and English trio George Bloor, Jack Floydd and John Gough all share eighth place on six under par.
The second round of the Dormy Open gets under way on Friday morning at 7:30am local time.
