Van der Vight goes low to lead in Italy
Dutchman fires flawless 64 to top Italian Challenge Open leaderboard
Las Vegas - Lars van der Vight surged to the top of the Italian Challenge Open with a bogey-free eight under par 64 at Golf Nazionale in Sutri.
The 23-year-old Dutchman, playing on an invite, birdied his opening two holes and added three more in succession from the fourth before turning in 30. Two more birdies on his inward nine sealed a one-stroke lead.
“It was pretty good,” van der Vight said. “Obviously I got off to a hot start and kept it going throughout the round. I hit good shots, made the putts and that was about it. I hit pretty much every fairway and I think that’s key around here.”
Van der Vight has enjoyed an impressive season on the Pro Golf Tour, winning twice and posting six further top tens from 16 starts to top the Order of Merit. With his 2026 HotelPlanner Tour status secured, he described this week in Italy as “bonus golf.”
Play was suspended due to darkness with England’s Angus Flanagan two holes short of completing his round. He and fellow Dutchman Lars van Meijel are one shot back, while George Bloor sits two behind on six under alongside a cluster that includes Eddie Pepperell, Jovan Rebula and Albert Boneta.