Sport - Golf - Tower Links
Tower Links Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah, host venue for the final EGF Men's Order of Merit event for the season Image Credit: Facebook Tower Links GC

Victor Kofod-Olsen (EGC) shot a first round of two under par 70 to lead the 36-hole 2023 Tower Links Golf Club Men’s Open.

This is the final Qualifying Round of the 2022 – 2023 Emirates Golf Federation Men’s Order of Merit, with the 2022 tournament champion, Niklas Korjonen, not defending his title, so a new champion is assured.

Kofod-Olsen, 18th in the Order of Merit table, was out in level par 36 and came home in a two under par 34 with six birdies. Included in this haul were two birdie twos on holes four and 12, this being 50% of the birdie twos of the day from the entire field.

Home player, 44 year-old Simon Dunn (TLGC), former Emirates Golf Club member and Asian Tour professional, who has returned to the Amateur ranks and plays off a +3 handicap, shot a one under par 71, to be one back of the leader, with a best front nine of the day by two shots, a three under par gross 33.

Sport - Golf - Simon Dunn
Simon Dunn (TLGC), one back of the leader after round one at Tower Links Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah Image Credit: Supplied

In tied third on level par are Steve Kelbrick (36 – 36. Trump International) and Jonathan Selvaraj (38 – 34. Trump International), the latter currently in the silver podium position in the EGF Men’s Order of Merit.

13 players in the 29 strong field broke 80 gross.

In the Net Division Nikhil Bhatia (Dubai Creek) is top of the table with a net 71, playing off a 10 handicap.

Andy Pilfold, General Manager of Tower Links Golf Club said at the conclusion of the round, ‘Thank you to all the competitors for supporting our Open. We have attracted players from seven golf clubs in the UAE including three of the emirates with the field boasting seven golfers with a plus handicap and two scratch golfers with 14 players representing the home club. Good luck to everyone in the final round.’

The second round will be held tomorrow (Sunday) with the leaders out last at 9.10 am with play in fourballs. The first tee time from tee one is at 8.00 am.

First Round Leaders (Par 72, 6,644 Yards)

V. Kofod-Olsen (EGC) 70 (-2)
S. Dunn (TLGC) 71 (-1)
S. Kelbrick (Trump International GC) 72 (Par)
J. Selvaraj (Trump International GC) 72 (Par)
D. Guinee (Trump International GC) 73 (+1)
C. Vance (Trump International GC) 73 (+1)
D. Morton (Trump International GC) 73 (+1)