Dubai: Olympian Scott Hend put himself into contention to become only the second Australian professional golfer to win the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club on Thursday.
Hend, who aims to emulate compatriot and winner of 1997 edition, Richard Green, fired an opening round six-under 66 to sit with a group of seven other players one off the lead set by English rising star Matthew Fitzpatrick.
The 45-year-old Queenslander surprisingly toned down what was by any stretch of the imagination as good an opening round as you can hope for given the quality and depth of the field assembled here in Dubai — simply calling it a “good day”.
Hend, who made his Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, was generous in his praise for the prevailing conditions as the Majlis Course, where the early morning fog was reportedly slowing down the ball.
“It was a nice finish to the round to finish with a couple of birdies anyway,” said the fast-car-loving Hend.
“(The) 18 is playing different from years gone past where they’ve grown the rough out a bit. We’re just trying to get used to where to hit a driver down there. But par on that hole never really hurts you, and it was a good day.”
The Australian also dismissed any concerns about reading the greens, traditionally known to be on the fast side at the Majlis.
“The course is fine. I was very fortunate that I was second to last group out so I got to go when it was a bit warmer, so the ball flew a bit more than sort of normal length,” he said.
“I’m quite fortunate where I was in the draw. We’ll see tomorrow whether I can finish in the sunshine or the dark. There’s nothing around the golf course. The course is fine. I’m from Queensland, I’m used to reading grain, so it’s OK with me.”
Leaderboard
1 Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) -7
2= Matthieu Pavon (FRA) -6
2= Sergio Garcia (ESP) -6
2= Kalle Samooja (FIN) -6
2= Bryson DeChambeau (USA) -6
2= Thongchai Jaidee (THA) -6
2= Scott Hend (AUS) -6
2= Callum Shinkwin (ENG) -6
2= Romain Langasque (FRA) -6
10= Kim Koivu (FIN) -5
10= Hideto Tanihara (JPN) -5
10= Lee Westwood (ENG) -5
10= Ian Poulter (ENG) -5
10= Haotong Li (CHN) -5
10= Paul Waring (ENG) -5
10= Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA) -5
10= Jason Scrivener (AUS) -5
10= Wade Ormsby (AUS) -5
10= Adri Arnaus (ESP) -5
