Vidal Breezes Ahead in Cadiz with Flawless Opening Salvo
Early birdie blitz and cool head in coastal winds send Spaniard Quim Vidal to the top at Iberostar Real Golf Novo Sancti Petri.
Paju, Korea - Quim Vidal soared to a seven-under-par 65 to take the solo lead after the opening round of the Challenge de Cadiz, making the most of gentle morning conditions before braving the coastal gusts with poise and precision.
The 24-year-old Spaniard, starting from the tenth tee, unleashed five straight birdies to set the early pace at Iberostar Real Golf Novo Sancti Petri. As the Andalusian breeze stirred up trouble in the afternoon, Vidal kept his composure, adding three more birdies and conceding just one bogey to hold a slender one-shot lead over fellow Spaniard Rocco Repetto Taylor.
“I don’t enjoy windy conditions,” admitted Vidal, “but I felt comfortable here. I kept the ball under the wind and my whole game clicked—driving, irons, short game, putting—it all worked.”
Already a winner this season at the Delhi Challenge, Vidal now eyes a promotion push, with a place in the DP World Tour’s top 20 firmly in his sights. “These are my favourite events—playing at home, the food, the fans, everything. It feels right.”
France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy and Sweden’s Robin Petersson sit two shots back at five under, while Mario Galiano Aguilar and Ollie Jacobsson are tucked just behind at four under.
With confidence high and the leaderboard tight, Vidal heads out in Friday’s second round alongside Jamie Rutherford and defending champion Jonathan Gøth-Rasmussen, hoping to ride the home winds all the way to glory.