Cabrera Bello hunting back-to-back wins at Valderrama

Rafa Cabrera Bello began his quest for back-to-back victories on home soil in style as he carded a three-under-par first round of 68 at the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters.

The Spaniard, who won his fourth European Tour title at last week’s Acciona Open de España presented by Madrid, carded four birdies at the formidable Real Club Valderrama and was one of just nine players to sign for an under-par round on Thursday.
“I felt like I did everything pretty well. If I were to highlight something, I’d say my putting was really good. I had a lot of testers – that’s normal on a windy day with fast greens, except for one I made everything inside eight or ten feet. I felt that was the difference for me," said Cabrera Bello.
"It’s already an intimidating course when there’s no wind. With wind it makes it all that tougher, but at the end you just accept it is what it is. It’s going to be hard, the wind will switch, you’ll end up in some tricky spots."

The 37-year-old is one stroke behind Frenchman Julien Guerrier, who equalled his best European Tour finish in the Spanish capital last week when he finished tied third behind Cabrera Bello. After his four under par round of 67, Guerrier holds a first round lead on the European Tour for the first time in his career.
Sitting in third is Guerrier’s compatriot Romain Langasque, who carded a two-under-par 69. Søren Kjeldsen, the winner of the 2008 Volvo Masters at Valderrama, is one of seven players in a share of fourth on one under par.
Frenchman Raphaël Jacquelin is also one-under par with one hole to play after the first round was suspended due to darkness in Sotogrande.