Staff WriterThe Czech Challenge at Royal Beroun Golf Club got off to a red-hot start on Thursday, and not just because of the Central European sun. Australia’s Danny List and Spain’s Albert Boneta lit up the leaderboard with matching rounds of 62, eight under par, to grab the early clubhouse lead—proving that jet lag and jet speed can coexist in fine style.
Both men now hold a one-shot cushion over Denmark’s Christian Jacobsen, who sits solo third after a seven-under effort that would usually buy you a night at the top. But on this course, on this day, it just bought you a front-row seat to the fireworks.
List, currently ranked 56th on the Road to Mallorca standings, was among the early starters and wasted no time setting off like a greyhound at Sandown Park.
He birdied five of his first nine holes, cruising out in 29 strokes. A lone blemish on the par-four 13th was swiftly forgotten, thanks to a three-hole tear that included birdies on 14 and 15 and an eagle at 16.
“I am really pleased with my opening round,” List said, understated like a man who just casually discovered fire. “The putter was hot today, and I hit some nice shots, so it was definitely an enjoyable round.
“I wasn’t happy coming off 13 but managed to pick up some shots off 14 and 15 before driving the green on 16 so that was a nice little stretch.”
His round had the kind of momentum you usually find in runaway shopping trolleys—and not the kind Stewart Golf makes.
Not to be outdone, 23-year-old Spaniard Albert Boneta took a more dramatic route to his share of the Czech Challenge lead. Starting on the 10th, he plodded through his first ten holes at a respectable one under before something—or perhaps everything—clicked.
Over his final eight holes, Boneta caught fire, racking up seven birdies and using just 27 strokes to come home in a blur.
“I was playing well on my front nine, but the putts weren’t dropping,” Boneta said, echoing the lament of golfers everywhere. “It was one of those days where you have to stay patient and I did a pretty good job with that.
“On the back nine the putts started dropping and I kept hitting good shots and it ended up good.”
That’s the golfing equivalent of saying your jalapeño really kicked in after the first few bites.
Boneta also showed poise on Royal Beroun’s tricky par threes—bagging birdies on the eighth and ninth holes with a mix of precision and a touch of happy accident.
“They’re difficult, short holes,” he said. “I hit five iron and two six irons to reach. I tried to aim for the middle of the green on nine and pulled it slightly, which actually took it closer to the pin.”
As for the chasing pack, there’s a logjam at six under, including Thailand’s Denwit David Boriboonsub, France’s Clement Charmasson, the Netherlands’ Lars van Meijel, Scots Euan Walker and Ryan Lumsden, Denmark’s Jonathan Gøth-Rasmussen, and Italy’s Luca Cianchetti. All within striking distance if Friday’s fairways stay generous and the putters stay warm.
Second round action resumes at 7:30 am Friday. List is scheduled for an afternoon tee time at 1:30 pm, paired with van Meijel and Chile’s Gabriel Morgan. Boneta heads out at 8:30 am with Wales’ Rhys Enoch and England’s Chris Paisley.
If day one of the Czech Challenge was any indication, you’ll want to keep your eyes glued to the scoreboards—and maybe the fire extinguisher handy.
