Dubai: Adrian Larsson (The Els Club) shot a first round of one under par 71 to lead the 2023 Robert Rock Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
The 54-hole event is associated with the Robert Rock Junior Golf Tour and is a qualifying event for the R&A supported World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
Adrian, aged 15 year-old, playing off a +1 handicap, birdied the first hole and followed it with a bogey five on hole three, and along with seven pars was out in level par 36.
Strong finish
A bogey on hole 14 was responded to with a strong finish of birdie – par – par – birdie over holes 15 – 18, to finish the back nine in 35 and a one under par total of 71 to lead by one shot.
A season highlight for Adrian to date was his runner-up spot in the Junior Dubai Desert Classic in January at Emirates Golf Club played over both the Faldo and Majlis Courses.
Adrian was pleased with his round and told Gulf News, “I am playing this week along with my two younger brothers. My Dad will be driving us all home this afternoon and back again for tomorrow’s second round.”
In second place is home player Thomas Nesbitt (Abu Dhabi Golf Club) with a level par 72, which included a mixed bag of five birdies, one double on hole five, and three bogeys, with an especially disappointing bogey six on the last. Nesbitt won the 2023 Club Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Excellent golf
Kieren Pratt, Director of Instruction at Abu Dhabi Golf Club said at the conclusion of round one, “In unseasonal warm and humid weather today (Tuesday) we have seen some excellent golf over the National Course. Well done to all the players for showing their patience, determination and skill levels. The golf course is set-up fairly for all players playing from three separate tee decks for each Division. This year we have already hosted at Abu Dhabi Golf Club the Hero Cup on the DP World Tour. In just two weeks we will host the $300,000 Abu Dhabi Challenge on the Challenge Tour and in October later this year we will be the host venue for the World Amateur Team Championships organized by the Emirates Golf Federation and the International Golf Federation (IGF). We wish all players the best for the next two rounds and hope they enjoy the experience.”
The Black Tee course was set-up for the first round at 7,283 yards.
There are three Divisions in this 54-hole Championship: Boys aged 21 and Under, Boys 14 and Under and Girls 21 and Under with gross prizes for the top two in each Division.
The draw for round two will see the leaders out last in gross order.
Leading Round One Scores (Par 72. 7,283 Yards).
Boys Division (Age 21 and Under)
A. Larsson (The Els Club) 71.
T. Nesbitt (ADGC) 72.
D. Morton (Trump International Golf Club) 76.
J. Jones (Wales) 77.
E. Sargin (ADGC) 78.
M. Hollinghurst (England) 79.
L. Kostylev (Bulgaria) 79.
