Englishman White leads with Course record on Mena Golf Tour Ghala Valley Open
Joshua White stormed into the early lead following a consistent performance on the front and back nines as Morocco’s Faycal Serghini led the region’s charge on the opening day of the MENA Golf Tour’s Ghala Valley Open on Monday.
In sparking form off tee, White fired a course record of a seven-under 65 with four birdies in each half to take a healthy two-shot lead over Mexico’s Roberto Rodriguez Cacho with Morocco’s Faycal Serghini and Switzerland’s Nicholas Mullhaupt taking a share of third on a 68.
Morocco’s Ahmed Reda Rhazali moved into a tie for fifth a further shot back on a 69 along with Switzerland’s Dubai-based amateur Michael Harradine, Christopher Cannon of England, Blair Wilson on New Zealand and Pakistan’s Hamza Amin.
Another Moroccan Younes El Hassani shared the 10th on a 70 in a group which included the English duo of Yasin Ali and Tom Boys and the South African twosome of Tyler Hogarty and MG Keyser
It was White who dominated the proceedings with a solid round display. “It’s a pretty tight course where there is hardly any room for an error. I picked a good day to hit straight and picked a good day to hole putts,” said the 22-year-old Englishman from Chipstead Golf Club in London.
“I have been playing on the (MENA) tour this season and it feels nice to pull together a good round,” said White who turned pro last year.
Mexico’s Roberto Rodriguez Cacho was equally pleased with his efforts despite a running up a double-bogey on the last when he hit into the water.
“I struck the ball pretty well and hit most of the fairways and greens which helped in the end. The greens are rolling nicely which further added to a good round,” said Rodriguez Cacho, 25, who turned pro in November last year.
Morocco’s experienced pro Serghini said: “I played very solid off the tee which was the key. I made just one bogey which is something you can always accept to happen.
“I created good scoring opportunities on par-5s which was the other major highlight of my round,” said the 38-year-old Moroccan, who birdied three of the four long holes.
Switerland’s Dubai-based amateur led the amateur division with a 69, a good five shots ahead of England’s James Allan and six off Ross Hopwood (England), Yassine Touhami (Morocco) and Rayhan Thomas (India).
Elsehwere, England’s Yasin Ali shot a 70 to stay in contention while his compatriot Ian Keenan carded a 71 along with Clarke Lutton of Scotland settling for a level par 72.
Omani ace amateur Azaan Al Rumhy led the home challenge with a 77.
Leading scores after Round One (Par 72):
Professionals:
65 – Joshua White (England)
67 – Roberto Rodriguez Cacho (Mexico)
68 – Faycal Serghini (Morocco), Nicholas Mullhaupt (Switzerland)
69 – Ahmed Reda Rhazali Morocco), Christopher Cannon (England), Blair Wilson (New Zealand), Hamza Amin (Pakistan)
70 – Yasin Ali (England), Tyler Hogarty (South Africa), MG Keyser (South Africa), Younes El Hassani (Morocco), Tom Boys (England)
71 – Shafiq Masih (Pakistan), Ian Keenan (England), Jack Harrison (England), Nicolas Meitinger (Germany), Sergio Gutierrez Sánchez (Spain)
70 – Rahul Bakshi (US), Matthew Swales (England), James Housby (England), Matthew Turner (England), Clarke Lutton (Scotland)
Amateurs:
69 – Michael Harradine (Switzerland)
74 – James Allan (England)
75 – Ross Hopwood (England), Yassine Touhami (Morocco), Rayhan Thomas (India).
