Hogarty sets course record to lead Rak Classic by 2
Tyler Hogarty hit a course-record seven-under 65 to grab a two-shot lead on the opening day of the MENA Golf Tour’s Ras Al Khaimah Classic as UAE’s Ahmed Al Musharrekh posted a creditable 71 on Monday.
The South African mixed 10 birdies, including five in a row from the 10th, with three bogeys in breaking the record of 66 set by Pakistan’s Mohammed Munir at Tower Links Golf Club last year.
England’s David Law, Spain’s Antonio Arjona Bueno and Andreas Finn of Sweden, who all carded a 67, shared the second place, one ahead of MG Keyser of South Africa, Blair Wilson of New Zealand and Ian Keenan of England.
It was young Hogarty who dominated the proceedings. “I just played solid and it was one of those days where everything went my way,” said the South African, who turned professional last month ahead of the Dubai Creek Open.
“It was tough on greens, but I hit a lot of good shots close to the pins and made tap-in birdie putts,” said the 21-year-old from Pietermaritzburg whose longest birdie putt all day was a 30-footer on the par-3, 12th.
“Whenever, I hit a bad I recovered well and that was one of the highlights of my round,” he added.
Spain’s Bueno was equally delighted with his efforts. “I played very steady from tee to green, especially my long game was pretty good. I rolled in a couple of early putts and that kind of lifted my confidence.
“Once I was two under after the first three, I didn’t try to force things,” said the 26-year-old Spaniard from Marbella. “Staying patience out there was the key,” said Bueno who is playing for the first time on the MENA Tour.
“There are very good players here and the competition is tough, something which will help improve my game,” said Bueno who turned pro six years ago.
Scotland’s Law opened with back-to-back birdies and kept the momentum rolling. “You can’t complain after a shooting a bogey-free 67 in the opening round,” said 22-year-old from Aberdeen.
UAE’S Al Musharrekh, who was forced to withdraw from last week’s Shaikh Maktoum Dubai Open, shot a fine 71 – his best round as a professional — despite taking a double bogey on par-4, ninth.
“I badly needed a good round under my belt to boost my confidence. Now I have one and, hopefully, I will be able to build on early success,” he said.
Elsewhere, England’s Zane Scotland, who is currently leading the Order of Merit, carded a steady 70 while Welsh ace Stephen Dodd settled for a level par 72. Fresh from competing in the European Tour Qualifying School in France, Morocco’s Faycal Serghini made a 74.
Leading scores after round one (par 72):
Professionals:
65 – Tyler Hogarty (South Africa)
67 – Antonio Arjona Bueno (Spain), David Law (England), Andreas Finn (Sweden)
68 – MG Keyser (South Africa), Blair Wilson (New Zealand), Ian Keenan (England)
69 – Sergio Gutierrez Sánchez (Spain), Eddy Koracevic (England), Craig Hinton, Sebastian Heisele (Germany), Jake Shepherd (England)
70 – Gary Knight (US), Zane Scotland (England)
71 – Chris Hanson (England), Ahmed Al Musharrekh (UAE), Berni Reiter (Austria)
Amateurs:
71 – James Yeomans (England)
72 – Jean-Michel Hall (England), Yassine Touhami (Morocco), James Allan (England)
73 – Michael Harradine (Switzerland)
