Larrazabal is no fish out of water in France

6/26/2008

Pablo Larrazabal compiled a brilliant opening score of six under par 65 to take the first round lead at the Open de France ALSTOM as he continued his colourful golfing journey that started on a fish farm and could well end in French Open glory.

The young Spaniard leads England’s Oliver Fisher and Irishman Peter Lawrie by a stroke at the top of the first round leaderboard, with the 2007 US Open Champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina just two off the pace on four under after an opening 67.

Defending champion Graeme Storm made a quietly effective start to his title defence to join Bank Austria Golf Open presented by Telekom champion Jeev Milkha Singh and another ten players on three under, while Graeme McDowell, Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood are among the11 men on two under. 

Those star names will surely play a significant role as the tournament evolves over the next three days, but the first round belonged to Larrazabal, one of The European Tour’s most engaging personalities.

The 25 year old from Barcelona, like his elder brother and former British Amateur champion Alejandro, has always possessed a prodigious talent for golf, but before he turned professional in pursuit of fame and fortune, he was instructed by his father to work on the family fish farm in order to learn the value of money and a hard days labour.

Leaderboard – Round 1:

1. Pablo Larrazabal  ESP  65 - 6
2. Oliver Fisher  ENG  66 - 5
    Paul Lawrie                    IRL  66 - 5
4. Angel Cabrera                ARG  67 - 4
5. Martin Wiegele               AUT  68 - 3
    Barry Lane                     ENG  68 - 3
    Jamie Donaldson           WAL  68 - 3
    Jeev Milkha Singh           IND  68 - 3
    Andrew Colthart             SCO  68 - 3
    Ignacio Carrido               ESP  68 - 3
    Greame Storm                ENG  68 - 3
    Martin Erlandsson           SWE  68 - 3
    José Manuel Lara            ESP  68 - 3
    Miles Tunnicliff                ENG  68 - 3
    Francesco Molinari           ITA  68 - 3
    Michael Jonzon              SWE  68 - 3

Source: European Tour