Andrea Pavan insisted local knowledge played no role as the home favourite finished tied for the lead in the first round of the 2024 Italian Open.
Pavan's bogey-free 64 put him tied at 7 under with Denmark's Sebastian Friedrichsen and American Gunner Wiebe.
Gavin Green of Malaysia birdied four of his last six holes to fall one shot behind, and later in the day, Marcus Kinholt of Sweden birdied his final hole to tie him at six under.
Although Pavan has the support of Italian fans at the Golf Club of Cervia in the Adriatic Sea, he said: “The last time I played here was 20 years ago, so I don't think I know anything about this place.”
Starting on the back nine, Pawan holed out from 10 feet for birdie on the 13th hole, then hit his approach from the edge of the 15th green to within an inch for another birdie.
He further improved his score to 32 at the 16th and 18th holes, and when he won back-to-back at the 3rd and 4th holes, he was 6 under.
He ended his bogey-free round with a final birdie from 7 feet on the 9th hole, saying: “It was a good day, I played really well. I was in good position and hit the ball close.
“It’s not a very long course, but you still have to hit the ball well. The greens are small, especially on the back nine. If you hit the green, most of the time you’re close to it.
“It's a little rough around the greens, and there are a few trees off the tee boxes. It's one of those golf courses where if you play well, you feel like you can shoot a low score, but if you hit it a little off, it can still be a struggle.”
Wiebe had four straight birdies starting at the 5th hole, the highlight being a tee shot inside two feet on the par-3 6th.
He got out of the woods on the par-5 15th for four, then added birdies on the 16th and 18th holes.
“It was a little chaotic at first and I missed a couple of greens,” he said. “But I hit two nice ups and downs so I settled down.
“It got pretty boring after that. I hit a lot of fairways and greens. I had two good shots. I made four straight birdies on the front and three on the back.
“It’s probably better than it feels, but boredom is good for me.”
Friedrichsen bogeyed the 13th hole when his 11-foot putt came to rest on the edge of the hole, and he made four birdies at each half-hole to finish at seven under.
“I was playing pretty solid,” he said. “I stayed in shape off the tee and hit a lot of good approach shots and wedge shots. Plus the putting, it was pretty easy.”
“I feel like my game has been pretty consistent for a long time. I haven't really played a full match yet. I'll take it one shot at a time and see how it goes.”
Behind Green and Kinhult, Pavan's compatriot Francisco Laporta was grouped at five under along with Spaniards Adri Arnaus and Adrien Otaegui, Frenchman Ugo Cusseau, American Sean Crocker and Canadian Aaron Cockerill.
South Africans Justin Harding and Brandon Stone tied for 20th at three under, along with nine other players.
Photo: Andrew Reddington/Getty Images
