Qatar's Saleh Al-Kaabi in action during the opening day of the 40th Qatar Open Golf Championship at Doha Golf Club yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: England’s Andrew Sanders fired an opening round of 72 to take the first-round lead at the 40th Qatar Open Golf Championship, which got underway at Doha Golf Club yesterday.
In a field of 90 players competing over three days, Sanders set the early pace in the singles stroke-play format, finishing level par to hold a two-shot advantage over Slovakia’s Jakub Hrinda, who carded a 74. Australia’s Andrew Extrems was a further two shots back in third.
Britain’s Dean Morris finished fourth after posting a five-over-par round, tied alongside Australia’s Cam Craner and England’s Callum Fitzgerald in a closely contested chasing group.
Among the home contingent, Qatar’s defending champion Saleh Al-Kaabi led the way, finishing seventh on 79, seven strokes over par, tied with Ireland’s Scott Holland Flynn and South Africa’s Franco Rabbi. Fellow Qatari Waqas Al-Balushi rounded out the top 10 with a score of 80.
Rising prospect Daniel Sokolov placed 14th after an opening round of 82, while Abdulaziz Al-Buainain and Fahad Mir shared 23rd position on 86. Jaham Al-Kuwari finished 29th, tied with Abdulaziz Al-Shahrani and Kamil Bourqia.
The tournament continues today with the second round, after which the top 50 players will progress to the final day. The championship winner will secure a coveted place in the Qatar Masters, adding further incentive in one of Qatar’s leading amateur events.
