Viraj Madappa and Dean Naime grab first round honours in Saudi International qualifier

Abu Dhabi: Viraj Madappa (Asian Tour) leads the Pro Division of the UAE Qualifier after round one of the 36-hole event for the Saudi International to be played at Royal Greens, KAEC, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia next month.

Madappa shot a six under par 66 on the National Course, previous host to 16 editions of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, to take a three-shot lead into Thursday’s final round.

In the Arab National Amateur Division, Dean Naime (Egypt) leads with a one over par 73, with a four-shot lead from second-placed Saleh Al Kaabi (Qatar).

The tee times for Thursday’s second round are from 7am with the leading Professional teeing off at 8.39am.

The Arab National Amateur Division sees the first tee time at 8.48am with their Divisional leaders out at 9.06am.

The UAE Qualifier, supported by Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Golf Saudi and the Asian Tour, will see two Arab National Amateurs and two Pros qualify for the $5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers to be held at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, KAEC. Jeddah, from February3-6 on the Asian Tour.

Round 1 Scores (Par 72):

Professional Division:

V. Madappa (Asian Tour) 66.

L. Scalise (Golf Brianza) 69.

P. Dunne (Ire) 69.

T. Clements (The Melbourne Club, Brocket Hall (69.

G. Baylis (PGA EuroPro Tour) 69.

Other Notables

MG Keyser (RSA / Jumeirah Golf Estates) 70.

M. Rice (UAE PGA) 72.

A. Cockerill (The Els Club, Dubai) 72.

I. Clark (Trump International, Dubai) 73.

O. Yeomans (JGE) 73.

P. Sharma (Golf Superstore / PSI) 73.

Amateur Division:

D. Naime (Egypt) 73.

S. Al Kaabi (Qatar) 77.

Abdulrahman Al Shahrani (Qatar) 79.

Ali Al Shahrani (Qatar) 80.

A. Arghandiwal (Lebanon) 80.