Chris Bentley in action in Round One of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Men's Open
Chris Bentley in action in Round One of the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Men's Open Image Credit: Supplied

The Els Club’s Jake Wiltshire shot an opening four-under-par 68 to lead by two shots at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club Men’s Open.

The tournament is a qualifying round for the 2021–2022 Emirates Golf Federation Men’s Order of Merit.

Wiltshire opened up with a front-nine of three-under, with birdies on holes one and four, and an eagle three on the par five eighth.

A dropped shot on hole 13 prevented Wiltshire from continuing his under-par round, but a birdie-birdie finish on saw him take the lead into Sunday’s final round, once again being played over the National Course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Chasing Wiltshire is James Nash of Trump International who had two nines of 35. Leading local player is Thomas Nesbitt from Abu Dhabi GC in third with a 71.

Current leader of the EGF Men’s Order of Merit is Toby Bishop in fourth on level par 72.

In the Net Division, Mahmood Rahi (ADGC) leads with a net 67 off a 21 handicap.