Alejandro Canizares and Thriston Lawrence lead after first round of Omega European Masters
- Planet Sport writer
- 25 August 2022
Spain's Alejandro Canizares and South Africa's Thriston Lawrence share the lead in the Omega European Masters after shooting eight-under-par 62s at Crans-sur-Sierre.
Canizares carded nine birdies and one bogey in the space of 12 holes on his way to the first round lead, matching the score posted by Lawrence a few minutes earlier.
Lawrence had started on the back nine and picked up six birdies before holing out from 30 yards for an eagle on his closing hole, the par-five ninth.
"it was a great round. I started out really comfortable, " Canizares told Sky Sports.
"My goal today was to focus only on the targets, not to focus on my swing since it hasn't worked lately!
"I did that well even though I had a three-putt early on, I was really happy how I bounced back from that one. I knew I was hitting the shots that I wanted and I kept going.
"It felt almost like unconscious, which is the goal for a golfer to hit unconscious good shots and that's what I'm working on, trying to forget a little bit about technique and let it go.
"It's difficult if you don't practice it enough but I did that today, putted great, made two great up and downs on the last two (holes) so I'm over the moon."
England's Matt Wallace and Scotland's Scott Jamieson were part of a four-strong group two shots off the lead on six under, with defending champion Rasmus Hojgaard another stroke back.
Hojgaard is bidding to join major champions Seve Ballesteros and Matt Fitzpatrick in claiming back-to-back titles in the Swiss Alps, while the 21-year-old would also love to emulate fellow Dane Thomas Bjorn in lifting the trophy for a second time.