Royal’s Cup: Mixed fortunes for Dubai-based golfers Keyser, Kapur

Dubai: Dubai based golfers MG Keyser (South Africa), representing Jumeirah Golf Estates, and Shiv Kapur (India) shot rounds of 68 and 72, respectively, in the first round of the Royal’s Cup held on the Asian Tour at the Grand Prix Golf Club, Thailand on Thursday.

Keyser was a two-over par after a double on second hole and suffered another par-five slip on the ninth hole with a bogey 6. Birdies on holes 4, 5 and 7 ensured he turned in level par 36.

On the back nine, Keyser stormed home in 32 with birdies on holes: 14, 15, 17 and 18 to lie in tied 13th place, four shots behind leader and three time winner on the Asian Tour, Chan Shih-chang (Chinese Taipei).

Kapur bogeyed his opening hole followed by eight pars to go out in 37. On his back nine, six pars, a bogey on the 509 yards, par-five, 14th hole, and birdies on holes 16 and 18 saw him secure parity against par at the end of the day and the 40-year-old sits tied 71st.

‘‘I was somewhat clumsy around the greens today and stupidly missed a couple of straightforward up and downs. I am looking forward to taking advantage of the calmer conditions in the morning with an early tee time, and hopefully post a good score,’’ Kapur said.

A field of 156 players has been assembled for this second event on the 2022 Asian Tour schedule. The course is set up at 7,215 yards, par 72.

64: Chan Shih-chang (Chinese Taipei)

65: Justin Quiban (Philippines)

66: Bjorn Hellgren (Swe)

Sadom Kaewkanjana (Thai)

Thitipan Pachuayprakong (Thai)

67: Rahil Gangjee (Ind)

John Catlin (US)

Sihwan Kim (US)

Chikkarangappa S (Ind)

Shinichi Mizuno (Jap)

Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (Thai)

Joohyung Kim (South Korea)