Thriston Lawrence is the 2022 champion of the Omega European Masters, and his love of the tournament and of Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland shone through on Friday as he completed a first round of seven-under-par 63.

Lawrence won the 2022 title in a play-off from Matt Wallace, and he went around the rest of his fog-delayed first round with every sign of relish as he made seven birdies without dropping a shot. Ahead of the second round which was due to get underway in the afternoon, he was in a share of second place with Jordan Smith of England, one stroke behind Adrien Saddier of France who was on eight-under-par.

Wallace was a shot back in an eight-way share of fourth on six-under.

Robin Williams was on two-under in the first round through 16 holes as the second round got underway, and Zander Lombard was also on two-under 68 with his first round complete. Louis Albertse, Casey Jarvis and Thomas Aiken were all finished at one-under, which was projected to be the cut ahead of the second round.