Argentina’s Hernan Rey got his timing absolutely perfect when he fired an eight under par 64 to take a one stroke lead over England’s Gareth Davies  after the first round of the Rolex Trophy at Golf Club de Geneve in Switzerland. Currently 18^th on the European Challenge Tour Rankings, Hernan is now aiming to burst into the top ten and secure a precious card for next year’s European Tour.

Just like the sponsors, the 30 year old from Buenos Aires is aware that timing is everything in golf. Just a year ago, Scotland’s Marc Warren claimed the Rolex title on his way to winning the Challenge Tour Rankings. Just last week, he moved up several gears by winning the EnterCard Scandinavian Masters on The European Tour.

“This is the ideal time to put a good run together – the same as Marc did last season” said Rey after signing for his nine birdie card. “It is an inspiration to all of us on the Challenge Tour when we see Marc winning in the same season that Johan Edfors has won three times on The European Tour. That’s what we all strive for.

“We are getting to the stage of the season where every week is important and every good finish can count towards the goal of getting onto The European Tour. I want to get into the top ten because it is a much better category for 2007. I played on the Tour in 2005 after getting through the Qualifying School, but it’s much more difficult that way.”

Rey missed only one green on his way to carding an otherwise impeccable score. He said: “I missed only one green and it cost me a bogey. Otherwise I played nicely – and I will have to keep doing that with the top 33 on the Challenge Tour also in the field.”

Davies, presently 14^th in the Rankings, claimed an eagle and six birdies, offset by one bogey, in his round of 65 while four players were tied for third on 66, including the current Challenge Tour Number One, Johan Axgren. He is joined on that mark by fellow Swede Alexander Noren, Mark Pilkington of Wales and Mads Vibe-Hastrup of Denmark.