I had a nice start of three under par 67 in the first round over the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in the $5 million PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers on the Asian Tour.
The statistics of my round show I had six birdies and three bogeys: 12 of 18 greens hit in regulation, eight fairways hit and just 25 putts over the par 70 course, playing at 7048 yards.
I got off to a flier with four birdies in my first seven holes, 3, 4, 5 and 7 and even chipped in a hole 6 for a par to be out in 32.
Further birdies followed on holes 10 and 16 to mark down two birdie twos on the scorecard, countered with bogey fives on holes 12 and 14, both par 4’s.
Overall, I am pleased with my first day’s work. It was tricky out there, as the famous winds of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) got up on our back nine that made scoring difficult.
The clubhouse leader is on 63 by Mexican Abraham Ancer, aged 31 years-old, who won the WGC – FedEx St Jude Invitational in 2021, before joining the LIV Golf Tour and currently stands at 37 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), a shot ahead of Sebastian Munoz (Colombia), who won on the PGA Tour in 2019.
The secret to my good scoring was that I scrambled well when I was out of position, but above all, I took advantage of most of the chances I created.
This event will have the best field of the season on the Asian Tour, so despite being the first event of the season, it is very important to battle hard and navigate the wind as best as I can. This week is an opportunity us Asian Tour players, especially, cannot take lightly.
There are some big names in the 126 player field, Dustin Johnson (US), disappointingly, had to withdraw with a bad back, but I stand in tied ninth at the end of the day, with many of the world’s finest in my rear mirror. Perhaps it is early season rust for some?
I must continue to control my ball flight and play the tough holes, on the exposed back nine holes, as smart as possible. This golf course here in Jeddah is not one I personally feel I can take on, you have to be patient.
My tee time tomorrow is at 12.35 pm off tee 10 in Match 38. Let’s hope the notorious wind in the afternoon does not impact the later starters.
If I can match today’s first round I will be delighted.
Speak to you all tomorrow after my second round.
Shiv Kapur is a Dubai resident and has won three times on the Asian Tour.
