In a dazzling display of skill and strategy, Tomas Gouveia stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the Euram Bank Open with an impressive six-under-par round of 64.
The Portuguese golfer made the most of the favourable conditions at GC Adamstal, hitting eight birdies to claim a one-stroke lead after the first day of play.
Starting from the tenth tee, Gouveia wasted no time, racking up four birdies in his initial six holes.
His aggressive approach paid off as he added four more birdies on the back nine, despite a couple of bogeys, ending the day at six under par, just ahead of seven other contenders tied at five under.
Reflecting on his performance, the 29-year-old was visibly pleased. “I’m very pleased,” Gouveia remarked.
“Everything was very good. Off the tee was very good, always in play, the second shots were always very close, and I made a few putts.”
Gouveia attributed his success to taking full advantage of the benign weather. “I was able to make a lot of birdies with not many mistakes, and that’s what you want on this golf course to take advantage of conditions, which were pretty good this morning,” he said.
“If the weather is like this, sunny, barely any wind, you have to play it aggressive.
Off the tee you have to put it in play, then you can play aggressive, so that’s the game plan.”
This isn’t Gouveia’s first time navigating the tricky terrain of GC Adamstal. His previous experiences have clearly paid dividends, especially after last year’s solid performance where he finished tied for fifth.
“This is the fourth time I’ve played this course,” he explained. “The first two times, I really struggled, but the third time I learned how to play it.
Last year was really good. I took what I learned last year and did the same today. I’m very happy with it and hopefully I can continue like this.”
The leaderboard is tightly packed with talent. Sharing second place, just one stroke behind Gouveia, are seven players including Germans Marc Hammer and Michael Hirmer, Slovakian Tadeáš Teták, South African Justin Walters, Englishman Frank Kennedy, Italian Davide Buchi, and Finn Juusi Kahlos, who added an ace at the 206-yard par-three eighth to his opening round 65.
Not far behind, four players sit a further shot back in ninth place: Frenchman Martin Couvra, Norwegian Herman Sekne, German Anton Albers, and Dutchman Lars Keunen.
As the second round of the Euram Bank Open kicks off at 7:30 am local time, all eyes will be on Gouveia as he tees off alongside Englishman Ashley Chesters and Australian Hayden Hopewell at 1:35 pm.
With the competition heating up, Gouveia’s blend of experience and aggressive play will be key in maintaining his lead.
