O'Malley leading field after record round

Australian Peter O’Malley equalled the course record to set the clubhouse target in the first round of the Italian Open today.

O’Malley carded an eight-under-par 64 at Gardagolf to match Bernhard Langer’s score from the final round in 1997, when the German came from three behind Jose Maria Olazabal to claim the title.

Gary Clark was two shots off the lead after firing a 66 despite having to carry his own clubs, with Kent’s Roger Chapman, Swede Fredrik Orest and Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez a shot further back.

Colin Montgomerie is yet to break the 70 barrier in 15 rounds this season after carding an opening 70, a score matched by Costantino Rocca despite the Italian having to take evasive action to avoid a miscue from his playing partner.