500th outing leaves Søren Kjeldsen riding a wave of emotion

Report by Anand Datla

August 20, 2015: Søren Kjeldsen enjoyed his “best day” on a golf course as he registered an opening 66 at the Made in Denmark at Himmerland Golf & Spa Resort.

The Danish fans made a big impression on the Race to Dubai last year at the inaugural event in Farsø as over 80,000 turned out to see The European Tour return to Denmark for the first time in 11 years.

And on Thursday morning they showed that support again as banners were handed out on the par three 16th to celebrate home favourite Kjeldsen making his 500th European Tour appearance last week.

The 40-year-old did not disappoint his fans as he put his tee shot to within two feet and rolled in a birdie to send the crowd into raptures.

“I’ve never been as emotional on a golf course as that,” he said. “It was incredible to feel the warmth from the people who all wanted me to do well. You can’t really describe it.

“I didn’t realise they were going to do anything like that, but they made it the best day I’ve ever had on a golf course.

“After that it was like my feet weren’t touching the ground. It did change the whole round, because after that I was cruising.

“I have to manage expectations, but it’s something I’m aware of. You never know what this game will do to you – you have to accept whatever you get. I’ll be working hard and not getting ahead of myself.”

Kjeldsen had recorded a bogey on the 13th and birdie on the 15th before the events on the next proved to be a catalyst for his round.

Further birdies followed on the second and third and, following some good fortune after sending his second shot right and hitting a spectator’s bag, Kjeldsen picked up another shot on the fifth.

Another followed on the 471 yard par five sixth and, when he rolled in a fifth birdie in seven holes on the eighth, he was in a share of second at six under.

An impressive third shot out of the rough on the ninth failed to prevent a closing bogey but that could not take the gloss off an impressive start for Kjeldsen.

“I am very pleased,” he said. “There is a lot of nervous energy, starting a week like this.

“I came into the event with a lot more confidence than I did 12 months ago, but there’s still a lot of nervousness there and I made a bit of a stumbling start.

“Then I reached 16 and everything started to happen. That turned my round around, because after that it was good.”