Ben Stow made an impressive return to professional golf as he opened up a one-shot lead on day one of the Swiss Challenge before play was suspended due to a flooded course at Golf Saint Apollinaire.
The Englishman carded five birdies to move to the top of the leaderboard on five under par with one hole left to play, one ahead of Ireland’s Conor Purcell, Frenchman Benjamin Hébert and Swede Niklas Lemke who still has 13 holes left of round one.
Stow is making his first Challenge Tour appearance for nearly two years due to injuries and the 2018 Prague Golf Challenge winner was pleased with the sharpness in his game after such a long period away.
“I played lovely,” he said. “I drove it really well and it was important to hit the fairways today because the rough was very thick and very wet.
“My putting was great and luckily that combination led to a few birdies. I’m very happy overall and it feels great to be back on the golf course.
“I started so well today and holed some nice putts. I have a very good old friend and coach on the bag which was fantastic.
“It’s been two years of injuries and very difficult times. To be back out here competing and doing what I love is amazing and even though it rained all day, I really enjoyed being out there.”
The 32-year-old admitted it was special to be back doing what he loves and is now hoping to put a tough couple of years behind him.
“It was a special feeling to be back out there playing competitive golf,” he said. “To have that buzz, adrenaline and see my name at the top of the leaderboard again was incredible.
“I love competing and feeling the nerves of a professional golf tournament, and it’s something I have really missed. To be out there and feel those emotions again was fantastic.
“My expectations coming into the week were pretty low and I’m just taking it one shot at a time. Practicing well and playing well are two very different things. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Scotland’s Euan Walker posted a three under par round of 69 to share fifth place alongside Frenchman Pierre Pineau, while six players including England’s Bradley Bawden and Finland’s Oliver Lindell are a shot further back in seventh.
The first round will re-start at 8:30am local time tomorrow, while the second round will not begin until 12:50pm at the earliest.
