Mikko Korhonen surged to the top of the leaderboard alongside Matteo Manassero after a spectacular opening day at the KLM Open, where he capped off his round with a hole-in-one and back-to-back birdies. Manassero, fresh from a strong showing at the US Open, set the pace earlier with a bogey-free 64, showcasing his resurgence with precise putting and strategic play at The International course in the Netherlands.
Korhonen, making only his third start this season, matched Manassero's seven-under total to share the lead, narrowly ahead of Japan's Rikuya Hoshino. The Finn, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour, expressed his delight and surprise at his round, highlighting a crucial hole-in-one on the fourth hole that propelled him into contention.
Manassero, who recently claimed his fifth DP World Tour title after a lengthy hiatus, reflected on his satisfying performance, emphasizing the challenging conditions and his strategic approach that paid dividends throughout the day. Despite a tough outing at the US Open, he rebounded impressively to assert himself once again among the tournament leaders.
Other contenders such as Sean Crocker, Edoardo Molinari, James Morrison, and Henrik Norlander trailed closely, showcasing their skills with a mix of birdies and steady play amidst favorable conditions at The International. The tournament promises further excitement as players vie for supremacy in one of golf's prestigious events on the European Tour circuit.
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