August 23, 2013. Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez are head to head sharing the lead at the end of the opening round of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Playing through the perfect weather condition, both players carded seven under par rounds of 65 over the Centenary Course, which will stage next year’s Ryder Cup. Followed lead by one from in-form Australian Brett Rumford, Spin’s Ignacio Garrido, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and English trio Oliver Fisher, Ross Fisher and Mark Foster.
Wiesberger, twice a winner on The European Tour last season, came into the event in good form having made 17 consecutive cuts this season and continued to shine with three straight birdies to finish.
“I didn’t make a lot of mistakes,” said the 27 year old.
“I came here with the feeling that I like the golf course, I like the weather, playing in these colder conditions, I think it suits me. I’m very relaxed; had last week off, so quite fresh into this tournament and that helped me,” Wiesberger said.
The other leader, Gonzalez has four European Tour titles to his name but the last of those came back in 2009, and the 43 year old has not had a top ten finish this season.
The highlight of his round was a ten-foot eagle at the long second, seven birdies and two bogeys.
“I played very good from the tee, made some good putts, and that’s why it’s a good score,” he said.
Oliver Fisher would have made it a three-way tie for the lead but for a bogey at his final hole left him right behind.
Italian Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari opened with a three under 69, while defending champion Paul Lawrie birdied two of the last three holes to be a shot further back.
While, Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh has little hope to make a cut in second round, compatriot SSP Chowrasia is still trying to better from tied 71.
