ABU DHABI // Zane Scotland rode a streak of five birdies to card a course-record 65 and grab a three-shot lead heading into the second round of the Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open at Al Badia Golf Club on Monday.
The Englishman, 32, finished with eight birdies and one bogey in his opening round to seize early control of the US$50,000 (Dh183,700) event, ahead of countryman Ross McGowan, who returned a 68.
Mexico’s Roberto Rodriguez Cacho headed the chasing pack a further shot adrift.
England's Luke Joy, who leads the Mena Golf Tour Order of Merit, moved into a 10-way tie for fourth.
“It was a very good round and it seems my game is back,” said Scotland, a six-time winner on the Mena Tour who bettered the previous course record of a 66 posted by Stephen Dodd of Wales in 2012.
“I holed many good putts out there, which was good. In fact, each part of the game fell in place. Of late, I have been struggling a bit with my back injury, but I felt a lot more comfortable today.
“It feels great to be in this position. Going forward, you can afford to be a bit relaxed. The idea is to stay positive and be aggressive and make more birdies.”
McGowan, the winner of the Abu Dhabi Open in 2012, mixed six birdies with two bogeys in his 68.
“There was nothing spectacular about the round, just played steady golf,” said the Englishman, who won the Madrid Masters in 2009.
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