The team from AX Media Thailand in Dubai this week had an exciting first day on the wonderful Majilis Course at the Emirates Club in Dubai for the first Rolex event of the season on the DP World Tour. A cool morning without any wind soon heated up with temperatures reaching 27 degrees and a steady breeze from midday onwards.
The course is in excellent condition with rough much higher than previous years and greens running at close to 13′ on the stimp metre.
Fan favourite and local resident, Tommy Fleetwood dropped a shot at the first but from then on he put in a display similar to last week when he won the Dubai Invitational at Dubai Creek. Four birdies during his remaining 17 holes saw the Englishman finish with -3 (69).
China’s Haotong Li is one of a quartet in pole position on five under par (67) after a rollercoaster round saw him have 7 birdies and 2 bogies, holing multiple putts in excess of 25 feet. He shares top spot with Andy Sullivan (Eng) who had a flawless round carding 5 birdies, Cameron Young (USA) who covered his last 3 holes in four under par with a birdie, birdie, eagle finish and late finisher Rasmus Hojgaard (Den) who closed with two birdies.
Notably, Rory McIlroy had more putting woes with several short putts missed, at one point he was -4 but had to settle for a mediocre 71 after dropping shots on three of his last four holes.
Open Champion Brian Harman was going well and at -3 on his final hole, the 9th, succumbed with a double bogie 6 when his lay up shot found water.
All to play for here in Dubai and we shall update you again at close of play tomorrow.
Photo credit: Alexi Van Damme, AX Media Thailand
Story: Colin White
