Mohammedia: Andrew Marshall shot a blemish-free four-under par round of 68 to lead after day one of the Mena Golf Tour season-opening Royal Golf Mohammedia Open in Morocco on Wednesday.
The Englishman picked up one shot on the front nine and three on the back to seize a one stroke lead over a seven-man group consisting of Sweden’s Peter Gustafsson and Switzerland’s Jean-Luc Burnier, who had both earned their full card through last month’s inaugural qualifying school in Sotogrande, Spain.
Also taking a share of second was England’s Zane Scotland, a record nine-time winner on tour and one-time professional Order of Merit winner (2013), and Morocco’s Amine Joudar.
England’s Joe Heraty and Australia’s Ryan Smith were tied for ninth a further shot drift at two-under 70 as 16 players broke par despite wet and windy weather conditions.
“I played really well and could have done even better, but just couldn’t take advantage of the par-5s, which was a shame,” said Marshall, a former member of Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, who finished tied for third at Q-School. “The course is in great condition and rewards you for good shots,” he added.
Elsewhere, England’s James Allan, playing in his first round as a professional, shot a one-under 71, while defending champion Paul Doherty of Scotland settled for level par 72, one shot ahead of England’s Miles Tunnicliff, a two-time winner on the European Tour.
Jamal Allali of Morocco returned a level-par 72 to lead the amateur division, one shot ahead of compatriot Amine Al Malki and Nicolas Claverie of the Wallis and Futuna Islands.
Morocco’s number one Joudar mixed six birdies, including four in a row from the 11th, to lead the Mena Division, ahead of his compatriot Younes Al Hassani, who carded a neat 72.
The UAE-based Mena Golf Tour was created in 2011 with the aim of providing local golfers with a platform to professionalism. The new look 2016 season has 20 events - up from 11 last year – including last month’s Q-School, and will go to Morocco, Spain, Thailand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Egypt, as well as the UAE.
