Maybin makes flying start to lead by three shots at Italian Open

(GETTY IMAGES)

Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin was in a class of his own when the BMW Italian Open began in Turin yesterday setting a course record 64, seven under par, to take a three-stroke lead over Scot Richie Ramsay, France's Raphael Jacquelin and England's Marcus Higley.

American John Daly would have been joint second as well but for two closing bogeys. After Ramsay had set the clubhouse target with a 67 – like Daly, he bogeyed the 17th and 18th – Maybin was still two behind when he turned in 34.

But he then followed birdies on the 10th and 12th with a 116-yard wedge into the cup for an eagle two at the next and another birdie came on the short 15th.