Serghini makes flying start at Rabat

Rabat: Faycal Serghini made a confident start to the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Open, the second event on the 2014 Mena Golf Tour schedule, firing a four-under-par 69 in Tuesday’s opening round.

Picking up where he left off last week, the leading Moroccan professional reeled off six birdies, including four on the back nine, to take a one-shot over England’s James Housby with Englishman Ross McGowan and France’s Edouard Espana taking a share of third on two-under 71.

Among the notables, defending champion Zane Scotland of England settled for a 1-under 72 while last week’s winner Joshua White returned a six-over 79 that leaves him a good 10 shots off the lead going into the second round while Stephen Dodd of Wales carded a level par 73.

On a day when many players struggled to tame the 7,330-yard Red course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, Serghini was a model of consistency, finding fairways and greens in regulation, a testament to his growing confidence and maturity.

“It was a good day at work. Played very steady golf and made three in birdies in a row from the 14th which kind of lifted my round,” said the Casablanca native.

Favourite number

“I felt good with my putter and it did a pretty decent job, even though I three-putted the 12th. You just can’t complain after shooting a 69, which is my favourite number.

“The course is in immaculate condition, the best I have seen for many years,” said the experienced Moroccan, who finished runner-up to England’s White despite having a four-shot lead with four holes to play in last week’s Royal D’Anfa Open.

“He [White] played better than I did, simple as that. I shot a 67 in the final round, which shows I also played some solid golf that day.

“This time it could be my turn, you never know. I will try and give my shot and see what happens,” said the 39-year-old, who turned pro in 2000.

England’s Scotland said: “It wasn’t too bad a round. I made a birdie on the [206-metre] par-3, which was good since it’s one of the toughest holes on the course.