European Open Day 1

Thursday’s opening round at the European Open in the global cell phone capital of Nokia Finland saw the host continent men grab the spotlight from the USA Tour-ists.
Tee times proved to be a crucial element. Forehand and tomahawk specialist Ville Piippo teed off early in the 3rd group and handed in a 9 under 55 at noon, 30 minutes before a thunderstorm caused a 90 minute rain delay and dampened the playing conditions. Many of the players with middle of the pack tee times would suffer the woes of wet discs and hands, from grip locks and worm burners to short putts that failed to find the target.
It would take 6 hours before Germany’s whiz kid Simon Lizotte matched Ville’s score by birdieing the last 6 holes. At 8 PM Denmark’s top player, Karl Johan Nybo seized the lead by 2, carding 12 birds and a single bogey for a 1079 rated round on the OB strewn 2700 meter (8900 foot) Nokia Sports Centre Park course. One hour later, but still well before dark at 61 degrees North latitude, Arizona’s Paul “Uli” Ulibarri broke the Euros hold on tomorrow’s lead card with a bogey free 10 down 54. He headed for the hotel sauna alone in second.
However, American World, USDGC and NT Event Champions own 8 of the next 11 places, and are poised to take charge should the leaders falter. Defending champ Jesper Lundmark who like Ville had an apparently auspicious early tee, fared less well, suffering 3 double bogeys on the last 4 holes to slip from contention to 10 strokes off KJs pace.
Among the ladies Val Jenkins shot a steady 6 over 70 to lead by 2 over Finland’s Anne Matilainen, with Melody King another stroke back in 3rd, and Page Pierce in 4th at 78 and work to do.
Stay tuned through Sunday as we bring you tons more coverage from Finland. DiscGolfPlanet.TV is here working their “putts” off with a several hour long show each day. You’ll find live scoring and tons of info at the event website www.opendiscgolf.com , while the preliminary player ratings, daily stories and photos will be here at www.pdga.com .
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