Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach’s opening 64 gives him a one-shot lead in the Round one of the €250,000 2022 Irish Challenge on the Challenge Tour at The K Club, Co Kildare, in Ireland.
In second place is Frenchman Gary Stal, winner of the 2015 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and Honorary Member of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, with a round of 65. Stal’s career CV also includes two wins on the Challenge Tour in 2012.
The 30-year-old Stal, who winter-trained in Dubai and UAE, had a scorecard of six birdies, one bogey and an eagle on the par five third hole.
The 29 year-old Gary Hurley, not featuring on the current Challenge Tour Rankings, is currently tied seventh with a four under par 68.
Strong front nine
Hurley is a Club Ambassador for Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi and was a member of the victorious 2015 GB&I Walker Cup Team.
Hurley, started on hole 10, and opened up with a strong front nine of 31 with five birdies and no bogeys, and came home in 37, with a further two birdies and three bogeys, including two on his two last holes of the day.
Play this week is over the at The K Club playing at 7,310 yards, with a Par 72.
The full field of 156 players are playing over the 7,310-yard par 72 Palmer South Course, with 65 players on par or better with players still on the golf course.