Matthieu Pavon takes the lead with another strong start at the Spanish Open

Modified Oct 13, 2023 16:44 GMT

Matthieu Pavon leads at the Spanish Open after the first round

Matthieu Pavon carded an 8-under 63 on Thursday, October 12, to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Spanish Open. Last year, he had a brilliant start at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid with a 64 to end as the runner-up.

Pavon shot seven birdies and one bogey in the opening round of the Spanish Open. On the par-5 3rd hole, he carded an eagle. Wil Besseling was one stroke behind Pavon after the first round. Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Pedro Figueiredo, and Eddie Pepperell shot 7-under to finish the day in joint third place.

Pavon has not yet won on the European Tour, but he has had a good season so far, with five top-10 finishes and a runner-up finish at the Open d'Arcachon.

Ross Fisher, Nathan Kimsey, Deon Germishuys, Zander Lombard, Victor Garcia Broto, Calum Hill, Romain Langasque, Joost Luiten, Finn Tapio Pulkkanen, Shubhankar Sharma, and Marcel Siem are all three strokes behind the leader.

Defending champion Jon Rahm was tied for 17th place after shooting 4-under 67 in the first round. Rahm has won three times in his last four starts at the Spanish Open.