Scotland storms to big lead in Mena Tour opener

Rabat, Morocco: Zane Scotland wasted no time in knocking the rust out of his game, firing a stunning six-under 67 in Tuesday’s opening round of the Royal Golf Es Salam Open — the first event on the 2013 Mena Golf Tour.

Playing his first competitive round since the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in February, the Englishman lit up his bogey-free round with four birdies in his last four holes in cold and blustery conditions to take a healthy five-shot lead.

“I never thought I would finish this way, but I played really solid all day long and made six birdies without dropping a shot,” said Englishman Scotland, who practiced in snow back home before coming to Rabat.

“Those four birdies on the last four holes were certainly the highlight of my round. Putts just started dropping in, which was great. You never know what tomorrow holds, but I feel like I’m in good position.

“You stand a good chance of picking up a shot if you hit the middle of the greens in regulation, since they are small in comparison to courses in Europe.”

Scotland finished runner-up to Wales’ Stephen Dodd in the 2012 Mena Tour Order of Merit. Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour, settled for a one-under 72 on the first day in Rabat for a share of second place with Greg Snow of Kenya, Morocco’s Younes Al Hassani and England’s Dale Marmion.

“I will take this score any day considering the adverse conditions out there,” said the Welshman, who mixed two birdies, one in each half, with a bogey on the par-five eighth.

Playing in his first ever Mena Tour event, Snow said: “This is a great championship course, a layout which requires precision and nerve and punishes mistakes.

“Strong swirling winds made this more difficult and, under these circumstances, anyone shooting even a par would constitute a good score. I am delighted with a 72 and hope I can build on this score over next two days.”

Even Al Hassani, who led the local challenge, was surprised by the weather conditions. “Usually we have this kind of weather in January or February, but never in March. So even we are taken aback a bit,” he said Al Hassani.

Morocco’s Ahmad Marjan finished level-par 73 to lead the amateur division, one shot ahead of compatriot Mustafa Al Maouass and four clear of Jean Michel Hall of England.