On a tightly-knit first day of competition, England’s Eddie Pepperell fired a 4-under 68 to lead the field at the Open de Espana at PGA Catalunya Resort.
The 23-year-old Pepperell has had a tough beginning to the 2014 season, his best finish being a tie for 45th at Abu Dhabi four months ago.
No less than eight players are tied for second at 3-under; three of whom every Spanish fan would love to see take first prize: Sergio Garcia, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Rafael Cabrera-Bello.
Another group of eight is two strokes back after shooting 2-under 70s on Thursday.
Pepperell started the day off with a bogey on No. 1, but was all birdies and pars from there. Also tied for second are Portugal’s Jose-Filipe Lima, the US’ Peter Uihlein, Germany’s Thomas Pieters, The Netherlands’ Robert-Jan Derksen and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay.
Garcia, who trotted over from The PLAYERS Championship in Florida last week, was at three-under through 13. He was up and down the rest of the way, with bogeys on 14 and 18 counterbalanced by an eagle 3 on the 492-yard No. 15.
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