Galway’s Ronan Mullarney signed for a two-under par opening 68 as the Alps Tour’s Memorial Giorgio Bordoni by AON 2023 teed off in Italy.
Fresh off tasting his maiden Alps Tour victory a fortnight ago in Austria, Mullarney posted four birdies and two dropped shots in an effort that leaves him tied-16th overnight, five back of Kiet van der Weele’s early lead.
Mullarney sits second in this season’s Order of Merit where the top-5 at season’s end earn promotion to the Challenge Tour.
“It really is all about finishing in that top-5,” Mullarney says. “Whatever that takes… whether it’s six 2nds or two wins, whatever it might be, that’s the aim, and that’s the sole aim – to be on the Challenge Tour next year at least.
“There’s definitely a bit more consistency to my game which is encouraging. It’s something that I would’ve considered was a strength of mine anyway so it’s nice to see it coming back this season.”
Mullarney leads the Irish challenge after the opening day at Como’s La Pinetina GC where Paul McBride and Paul Murphy each carded one-under par 69s on day one.
James Sugrue eagled the par-5 eighth but five bogeys saw him sign for a 73 that leaves the Mallow man with work to do to make the 36-hole cut.
Joseph Hanney at four-over par completed the Irish scoring.
- Full scoring HERE
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