Home favorite Jon Rahm is in the spotlight

World No. 6 Rahm, one win away from matching Seve Ballesteros' three victories at his home Open, carded an eagle, six birdies,

and a single bogey on Thursday to get to seven under par. That put him within three points of fourth place behind Van Driel,

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Aphibarnrat, and Wu, who both clocked a brilliant 63 seconds. Afternoon starter Aphibarnrat made five straight birdies in the closing stages.

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who had eight birdies and no bogeys in the morning, to lead at eight under. And Van Driel made it a three-way tie,

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tie with a final birdie putt from 28 feet. Rahm was joined at seven under by France's Matthieu Pavon, Sweden's Joakim Lagergren, Scots Stephen Gallacher,

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and David Drysdale, and South Africa's Hennie du Plessis another shot back. Rahm produced a series of magical moments in his first round,

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magical moments in his first round, drawing huge cheers from the crowd with a 33-foot eagle putt and a chip-in birdie.

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He said: "I'm happy to follow up my last competitive round with another really good round and keep the good game going." In the morning take advantage.

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