Jannik De Bruyn thrilled the local fans with a remarkable performance, shooting a brilliant round of 64 to take a four-shot lead after a fog-delayed first day at the European Open.
The German golfer navigated a challenging start to the day, as a three-hour fog delay postponed the beginning of play at Green Eagle Golf Courses.
Once the fog lifted, De Bruyn showcased his skill and composure on the demanding Porsche Nord Course.
Sensational Start
De Bruyn’s round ignited with an incredible series of birdies, securing six birdies in his first seven holes.
This explosive start established him as the frontrunner early on, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure and capitalise on opportunities.
His momentum continued with another birdie at the 11th hole, further extending his lead.
Mid-Round Challenge
However, the round wasn’t without its challenges. De Bruyn encountered back-to-back bogeys on the 12th and 13th holes, briefly interrupting his dominance.
Despite this setback, the 24-year-old golfer showcased his resilience, bouncing back impressively with four consecutive birdies to conclude his round. This stellar finish brought him to nine under par, solidifying his commanding position.
Jannik De Bruyn: I can’t explain what happened out there but I was just in the moment and the birdies kept coming. I was hitting the ball well in the right areas and my putting was great.
I was six under through seven and didn’t really believe it. I hadn’t been playing great coming into the week, so I had no expectation. I was just looking to take it shot by shot and focus on hitting draws. It worked out well for me today.
There were plenty of spectators out there for me today and I always enjoy playing in front of my home crowd.
The more birdies I was making, the bigger the crowd got which was quite funny. I’m proud to play such a good round here.
Competitors in Pursuit
Trailing De Bruyn are England’s Laurie Canter and Wales’ Jack Davidson, both carding rounds of 68, finishing the day at five under par.
Their solid performances keep them within striking distance as the tournament progresses.
Chasing the Title
De Bruyn, who secured his DP World Tour card through Qualifying School last year, is now eyeing his first victory on home soil.
The Green Eagle Golf Courses’ Porsche Nord Course, measuring a formidable 7,882 yards, is one of the longest played on the DP World Tour.
De Bruyn’s mastery of the course on the first day positions him favourably for a potential maiden victory.
Defending Champion and Contenders
Defending champion Tom McKibbin, along with American Sean Crocker, Finland’s Lauri Ruuska, Dane Niklas Norgaard, South African Ockie Strydom, and Englishmen Garrick Porteous and Dan Bradbury, share fourth place at four under par.
Their consistent play keeps them in contention as the tournament progresses.
Further Back
A cluster of ten players is just one shot further back at three under par. This group includes notable names such as South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli, American Johannes Veerman, and Denmark’s Marcus Helligkilde.
These competitors still have two holes remaining as the first round was suspended due to darkness.
Looking Ahead
The first round will resume at 7:30 am local time on day two, with all second-round tee times remaining unchanged.
As the European Open continues, players will aim to close the gap on De Bruyn and establish their positions on the leaderboard.
