Sweden’s Fredrik Lindblom took the lead after Day 1 of the Mena Golf Tour’s Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open at Al Badia Golf Club on Monday after shooting an opening round five-under par 67.
Four players sit one shot back from Lindblom, Morocco’s Younes El Hassani joins the three Englishmen of Joshua White, Andrew Marshall and Adam Sagar on four-under.
“I played very solid golf, missed just two greens. I have been working really hard on my putting. It was nice to see putts falling in,” Lindlom said. “I could have done even better, but you can’t complain after a shooting in mid-sixties.
“Overall, it was a pretty satisfying day.”
El Hassani, 42, produced five birdies and an eagle against three bogeys to play himself into contention, while Indian teenager Rayhan Thomas continued his fine form following his Dubai Creek Open victory by carding an opening round three-under par to occupy sixth place. Tiago Lobo, a Dubai-based amateur from Brazil, was in a three-man group a further shot back on two under alongside Spain's Antonio Costa and Shafiq Masih of Pakistan.
“I missed two greens, but had great fun playing on this course even though the blazing sun made things a bit difficult,” El Hassani said.
“I missed shorts putts at third and sixth, on both from two feet which was a shame,”
Elsewhere, defending champion Per Barth of Sweden, Danny Poulter, brother of Ryder Cup hero Ian, carded 71s while Zane Scotland, an 11-time winner on the MENA Golf Tour, settled for 73 along with his compatriot Luke Joy.
Joy, who finished runner-up to India’s Thomas, looked in cruise control, going five-under par after 15 holes, but six dropped six shots on his last three holes.
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