Kjeldsen sets sights on second win

Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen targeted an overdue victory after equalling the course record in the first round of the Italian Open in Milan.

Kjeldsen carded nine birdies in a flawless 63 to match the mark set by England’s Richard Finch last year.

The Ascot-based 30-year-old started on the 10th and opened with four consecutive birdies, and picked up further shots at the 17th, first, third, fifth and ninth to set the clubhouse target.

At nine-under, Kjeldsen was two shots ahead of England’s Benn Barham.

Barham’s compatriots Philip Archer and James Hepworth, France’s Gregory Havret - the winner in 2001 – South African Michael Kirk and Italy’s Alessandro Tadini were a further shot behind.

Kjeldsen admitted he was disappointed not to have added to his maiden tour title, which came at the Diageo Championship at Gleneagles in 2003.

“I think I’ve been in contention once since and that is disappointing,” he said. “I’ve been playing well but just not finishing the job.

“I’ve just being getting a bit tense on Sundays and to play as relaxed as I played today is the key. I talk a lot more on the course now, I never used to say a word.”

Defending champion Steve Webster, who ended a 10-year wait for his maiden tour title at the Arnold Palmer-designed venue 12 months ago, had made a steady start with a one-under 71.

Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, the only member of the world’s top 50 competing this week, was among the afternoon starters, along with Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam and England’s John Bickerton, runner-up in the Spanish Open last week.

Woosnam was playing alongside Paul Broadhurst, the most surprising contender for a Ryder Cup place 15 years after making his debut in 1991.

And Woosnam joked: “I sent him a couple of text messages saying: ‘I’ll see how you are under pressure.’

“In 2002 he had to go back to the qualifying school to get his card so that shows how well he has come back.”

Broadhurst enjoyed a 100% record at Kiawah Island, partnering Woosnam to a fourball victory over Paul Azinger and Hale Irwin and beating Mark O’Meara in the singles.

The 40-year-old has failed to make the team since however, and went 10 years without a European Tour victory until his Portuguese Open triumph last year.

Successfully defending the title in March, coupled with second place in the Qatar Masters and sixth in the Volvo Masters at the end of last season, sees Broadhurst currently occupying the eighth qualifying place for the team.

Cabrera birdied two of the first three holes to lie two-under, while Broadhurst and Woosnam both birdied the first.

David Higgins was best of the Irish on two under after his first round. Michael Hoey was even three holes in, while Brian McEllhinney had a torrid start to his professional career, six over par for the day.