Abu Dhabi: The 35th Abu Dhabi Open Golf Championship, sponsored by National Bank of Abu Dhabi, got off to a good start with Mark Ireland [AGGC Club Professional] and Matthew Turner [EGC] teeing off early at Al Ghazal Golf Club.
Both players in their respective groups hit strong drives down the first and set off into the rising sun. After nine holes and some unforced errors, Mark Ireland admitted to four bogeys.
However, Ireland dug deep and carded a stronger lever par score of 36 (one bogey and one birdie with the rest par) to come in with a 75. Turner began his defence of his title with a solid birdie on the first hole, however, a bogey on the second and seventh holes had him looking at a one over par until he birdied the ninth to bring him back to level par. Turner started the first hole of the back one with a birdie, but he slipped up on 11, 13 and 17 with bogeys to come in with a total of 75.
UAE's national team member Khalid Yousuf (EGC) had the best score of the day with a one-over par 72. His front nine score of 32 saw three birdies and six pars: Khalid also birdied the 10th, but dropped five shots over the course of the next 8 holes.
Martin Le Mesurier [Pro. ADGC] dropped two shots with three bogeys and one birdie on the front nine but a solid-level par on the back brought him back into contention.
