May3 Italianopenrecord

By TG Staff Writer

Joakim Backstrom has scorched into an early lead in The Italian Open with a course record 62.

The 29-year-old Swede is 10 under and three shots clear of Englishman James Heath. It’s early days and half the field still have to complete their opening round, but it’s unlikely anyone will get near the faultless display of Backstrom.

He has suffered an injury-plagued career and five years ago could barely walk. “I grew a foot taller in 18 months when I was 15 and my muscles didn’t grow at the same time. My back can get very sore, but if I do my training programmes three times a week the problem will eventuially right itslef.”

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