Abu Dhabi: Birthday boy Alvaro Quiros of Spain and Stephen Dodd of Wales set the early pace with first round scores of six under par 66 as the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship got underway at the National Course here this morning.
Quiros, who is celebrating his birthday today, ended his round with three birdies off the final three holes to finish on six under par 66 and share the early lead with Dodd.
Dodd’s round of 66 could have been better but he dropped two shots on the 11th and 12th holes after five successive birdies before that. However, he also ended his round with three birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th to finish six under 66.
Lee Westwood, Geoff Ogilvy and defending champion Paul Casey were grouped together and with fives holes left, Casey had picked up two holes while Westwood and Ogilvy were on par scores.
