Scotland sets course record with a 65 at Ascorp Golf Citizen Abu Dhabi Open

Zane Scotland rode a streak of five birdies in a row to card a course-record 65 and grab a healthy three-shot lead heading into the second round of the ASCORP GOLF CITIZEN Abu Dhabi Open at Al Badia Golf Club on Monday.

On a layout that requires precision and nerve, the 32-year-old Englishman, who is also a golf in DUBAi ambassador, reeled off a total of eight birdies and one bogey in his seven-under opening round to seize early control of the $50,000 event, ahead of his countryman Ross McGowan, who returned a 68.

Mexico’s Roberto Rodriguez Cacho headed the chasing pack a further short adrift as England’s Luke Joy, who currently leads of the MENA Golf Tour Order Merit, moved into a 10-way tie for fourth on a two-under 70 along with compatriots Jake Shepherd and Lee Corfield, both former winners of the tour.

It was a composed and unflappable Scotland, who dominated the opening day.
“It was a very good round and it seems my game is back. 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 felt I lot more comfortable today,” said Scotland, who bettered the previous course record of a 66 posted by Stephen Dodd of Wales in 2012.

“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,” said Scotland, who is a whopping six-time winner on the MENA Golf Tour.

“Being the winner of the inaugural tournament on the tour (in 2011) at this venue, it will be fun to again win the event which incidentally is the 25th on the tour,” said Scotland, who started the straight five-birdied run on the seventh.

McGowan, the winner of the ASCORP GOLF CITIZEN 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.

Elsewhere, defending champion Stephen slipped in a tie for 48th after carding a 75 while British and Austrian PGA champion Chris McDonnell settled for a 74.

Morocco’s Younes El Hassani led the MENA Division for the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award after carding a two-under 70, which included five birdies and three bogeys, while his countrymen Mehdi Saissi and Mohamed Agmit shot matching 73s to share the lead in the amateur division for the regional players.

Meanwhile, a golf clinic for young enthusiasts was held at the Driving Range of Al Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, with leading MENA Golf Tour professionals which included Zane Scotland, Faycal Serghini of Morocco and Luke Joy giving lessons that concentrated on basic skills.

Leading scores after round one (par-72)
Professsionals:
65- Zane Scotland (England)
68 – Ross McGowan (England)
69 – Roberto Rodriguez Cacho (Mexico)
70 – Gary Knight (US), Stuart Archibald (England), Carlos Balmaseda (Spain), Joe Heraty (England), Luke Joy (England), Jake Shepherd (England), Lee Corfield (England), Younes El Hassani (Morocco), Maurice  Jeffries (US), Juan Salcedo (Mexico)
71 – Andreas Finn (Sweden), Tom Buchanan (Scotland), Tyler Hogarty (South Africa), Matthew Swales (England), Shafiq Masih (Pakistan), Matt Turner (England), Sam Kiloh (Scotland)
72 – Ben Russell (England), Luke Towler (England), Clarke Lutton (Scotland), Toni Ferrer (Spain), Peter Stojanovski (Macedonia)

Amateurs:
73 – Mehdi Saissi (Morocco), Mohamed Agmit (Morocco), Josh Walsh (England),
74 – Craig Vance (England), Ayoub Lguirati (Morocco)
75 – Benjamin David (England), Antoine Maes (Morocco)