Eastern Europe delights Woosnam again

9/5/2008

Ian Woosnam’s affinity for eastern Europe this year continued after the Welshman fired a six under par round of 65 to lead after the first round of the inaugural Casa Serena Open in the Czech Republic.

Woosnam has triumphed on both of the European Seniors Tour’s visits to former Eastern Block countries this season, following up his maiden victory at the Parkridge Polish Seniors Championship by also landing the title at the Russian Seniors Open.

The Seniors Tour Order of Merit leader began his pursuit of a hat-trick in the best possible fashion at Casa Serena Golf, near Prague, with a birdie on the opening hole.

He followed that with four consecutive birdies starting on the sixth hole before dropping his only shot of the day on the 10th after thinking he was hitting a three wood instead of the five wood he actually had in his hand.

The 50 year old picked up a shot on the 14th before finishing with another birdie on the 18th to lead England’s Tony Allen and American Pete Oakley by one stroke, with Bernhard Langer a shot further back on four under par after a 67.

Woosnam said: “After last week that round was a miracle. I don’t know if it will last but I played pretty solid today. There must be something about eastern Europe!

“I tried something different on the practice range this morning with my swing and it seemed to work a bit better. I was coming down on the ball a bit more. If I do that again tomorrow I’m back in the groove. It’s a good start. “

Both Allen and Oakley produced the best rounds of their seasons so far to sit just behind Woosnam, with Allen’s 66 helped by a run of four consecutive birdies from the 11th hole while Oakley eagled the last hole.

Allen said: “I’ve been playing ok for the last few months but just not scoring well. This was by far my best round of the year. I’ve been getting 71s so to shoot five under par is very nice. The conditions out there were perfect.”

Langer, currently second behind Woosnam in the race for The John Jacobs Trophy, posted five birdies and one bogey in his round of 67 to join a group of eight players on four under par, two shots off the pace.

The in-form Gordon J Brand also made a solid start in his pursuit of three consecutive victories, signing for a three under par 68. 

Leaderboard – Round 1:

1.   Ian Woosnam                  WAL  65  - 6
2.   Tony Allen                        ENG  66  - 5
      Pete Oakley                     USA  66  - 5
4.   David Merriman                 AUS  67  - 4
      Bob Boyd                         USA  67  - 4
      Tony Johnstone                ZIM  67  - 4
      Domingo Hospital              ESP  67  - 4
      Bernhard Langer               GER  67  - 4
      Luis Carbonetti                 ARG  67  - 4
      Peter Mitchell                    ENG  67  - 4
      John Hoskison                  ENG  67  - 4

67. Jan Juhaniak                    CZE  78  +7

Source: www.europeantour.com