Sjoholm off to flying start

Francesco Molinari was the top Ryder Cup performer on the first day of the Italian Open on Thursday, two weeks from Europe’s showdown against the United States in Illinois. The Italian carded a four-under 68 at the Royal Park I Roveri course to finish the first round four strokes behind the leader, Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm. Molinari, the 2006 winner of this tournament, was two shots better off than Ryder Cup team-mates, Martin Kaymer and team captain Jose Maria Olazabal, while Nicolas Colsaerts was a shot further back on one under. “It’s fun playing in front of the home crowd, but there’s a lot of pressure and everyone wants you to do well,” said Molinari. “It would be nice to give them a nice week, but it’s quite tough. It was nice to spend some time together (with Nicolas Colsaerts and Martin Kaymer) and I’m sure we’ll have a lot of fun in America as well. “We talked a little about a few things, but not too much.” The Ryder Cup takes place at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois from September 28-30. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Sjoholm, who missed the cut in his last two tournaments, was the first round leader after an eight under par 64. “I want revenge. The last two weeks I actually played quite good golf,” said the Swede. Two share lead Ryu So-Yeon marked her links course debut with a two under par 70 to share the lead with fellow South Korean, Haeji Kang, after the first round of the Women’s British Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Winner of last season’s US Women’s Open before she even became an LPGA Tour member, 22-year-old Ryu surprised herself with a five-birdie round in the testing, breezy conditions. Conditions could have been a lot worse, and very strong winds are forecast for the second round on Friday. Only 11 players broke par, with Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, winner for the past two years, and Lydia Ko, the 15-year-old amateur, in the next group on level 72. Ryu, a winner of the Toledo Classic on the LPGA Tour last month and on the Korean Tour last weekend, arrived in England in relaxed mood. “I have felt under huge pressure ever since I won the US Open,” she admitted. Que ahead Heavy rains forced organisers to abandon the second round of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship on Friday with first round leader Filipino Angelo Que remaining three shots clear. Play was called off before the three-time Asian Tour winner, who shot a flawless seven-under par 65 on Thursday to take a single-shot lead over India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and American Jason Knutzon, was able to tee off. The American Knutzon was level-par through nine holes to remain in second place at the $500,000 event with Bhullar, who like Que, did not start his second round.