Julien Guerrier opened with a bogey-free round of 62 at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande and will take a one-shot lead into Friday’s second round of the 2024 Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters.
The 39-year-old Frenchman reeled off nine birdies in his first 11 holes and with two par 5s remaining, the 59 watch was officially on. But Guerrier walked away with pars on both scoring holes and added just one more birdie the rest of the way to finish 10-under 62.
“I had the feeling I was playing the PlayStation on the front nine! It was very nice,” said Guerrier.
“But we know golf, we know we have to stay in the present. Of course it was really nice but I try to stay focused because we know with this wind everything can happen.
“When you’re playing like that and everything goes your way, you take everything and it was a great feeling, of course.
“And the front nine was not easy because the wind was blowing and it’s tighter. So it was so nice to play this kind of game.
“It looks easy from the outside but it’s very tough to stay in the present because you are so hot with your game and you enjoy your game.
“So sometimes the emotion is too high and you try to calm down a little bit. But at the same time you try to enjoy it, so it’s a good balance to finish well and have a good round.
“I’m feeling good. I like Spain – I play very often and very well in Spain.
“It’s a good opening round and we have three more rounds to go.”
Dan Brown had set the early target at 9-under 63 with a morning round featuring two eagles and five birdies. The Englishman sits alone in second, one clear of home hero Jorge Campillo, who posted a bogey-free 64.
Tournament headliner Jon Rahm shot 70 and sits T39 on 2 under.
Ugo Coussaud made a brilliant hole-in-one at the par-3 eighth, using a six iron from 175.
2024 Andalucia Masters
Top 10 Leaders: Round 1
Pos-Player-To Par (Score)
1. Julien Guerrier -10 (62)
2. Dan Brown -9 (63)
3. Jorge Campillo -8 (64)
4. Johannes Veerman -7 (65)
5. Romaine Langasque -6 (66)
5. Niklas Norgaard -6 (66)
7. Jordan Smith -5 (67)
7. Fabrizio Zanotti -5 (67)
7. Rasmus Hojgaard -5 (67)
7. Tom McKibbin -5 (67)
7. Richard Mansell -5 (67)
European tour communications press release and email used to compile recap.
