DOHA: Welshman Bradley Dredge, without a European Tour win in 11 years, was the surprise leader on day one of the Qatar Masters on Thursday, posting an impressive eight-under-par 64.
Dredge blitzed the back nine, hitting five birdies — and squandered another opportunity on the 18th — to lead by one shot from Finland’s Mikko Korhonen, with former US Open champion Graeme McDowell a shot further back.
“Yeah, obviously delighted with score today,” said Dredge afterwards.
“A bit surprised, I thought I was going to hit the ball a bit better off the tee than I did, but I hit a few more fairways. I putted really well.”
In total he managed eight birdies and 10 pars.
Dredge’s last Tour win was at the 2006 European Masters.
Asked if Doha could be his first win in more than a decade, the 43-year-old replied: “I hope it is. You can’t win it in the first round but you can certainly be too far back to win it.”
On a course usually known for its windy conditions, the benign weather on day one allowed 85 players to post an under par score.
The relative calm was also exploited by Korhonen, who started with three birdies in the four first holes.
“I thought I would probably have a chance today because it’s definitely the most calm day I’ve seen here,” said the 36-year-old.
McDowell, who said before the tournament began that he was determined to regain the form that made him a Major winner, was the leader for the early part of the day.
A bogey at the par four sixth added a blemish to his card, but the Northern Irishman was more than satisfied with his 66.
“Yeah, very happy with that,” he said.
“Even though conditions were benign you’ve got to go out there and play the golf and take advantage, and thankfully (I) managed to do that this morning.”
Pre-tournament favorite and world No. 10, Sweden’s Alex Noren, recovered from a stuttering start to post a four-under 68, the same score as South Africa’s Ernie Els and Ryder Cup 2018 captain, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn.
“I didn’t really play that well on the front nine,” said Noren, who went out in par.
“I started to hit some better shots on the back nine, getting a little bit closer... really happy with the back nine.”
Less happy thought was Tommy Fleetwood, the Abu Dhabi championship winner last week.
The Englishman finished at one-over-par, hitting three straight bogeys on holes 14, 15 and 16.
Que rallies
The Philippines’ Angelo Que bounced back from an opening bogey to tie for first with Japan’s Azuma Yano at the end of the first day of the Myanmar Open on Thursday.
The three times Asian tour winner, who finished joint 11th in Singapore last week after a string of last round bogeys, notched seven birdies to end the day on a six-under-par 65 at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club in Yangon.
He shared the clubhouse lead with three-time Japan champion Yano, who hit four straight birdies in his bid to better his runner-up result from last year.
“It was the first hole (bogey) and first hole jitters maybe,” said Que, who is renowned on the tour circuit for his bright colored attire.
“I told myself it was the first hole and there are so many holes left, so be patient. That’s what happened and I made the birdies.”
Korean star K.T. Kim ended the day trailing the leaders by one shot on 66, alongside countryman Hwang Jung-gon and Makoto Inoue of Japan.
Last year’s winner, Shaun Norris, ended the day four-over-par on 75.
Golfers from 30 different nations are competing at the four-day Leopalace21 Open for a share of the $750,000 purse in Myanmar’s richest tournament.
Since emerging from decades of isolating military rule, Myanmar has witnessed a nascent golfing scene both for amateurs and professionals.
This year is the first time it is being played at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club after moving from last year’s venue at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.
Dredge blitzed the back nine, hitting five birdies — and squandered another opportunity on the 18th — to lead by one shot from Finland’s Mikko Korhonen, with former US Open champion Graeme McDowell a shot further back.
“Yeah, obviously delighted with score today,” said Dredge afterwards.
“A bit surprised, I thought I was going to hit the ball a bit better off the tee than I did, but I hit a few more fairways. I putted really well.”
In total he managed eight birdies and 10 pars.
Dredge’s last Tour win was at the 2006 European Masters.
Asked if Doha could be his first win in more than a decade, the 43-year-old replied: “I hope it is. You can’t win it in the first round but you can certainly be too far back to win it.”
On a course usually known for its windy conditions, the benign weather on day one allowed 85 players to post an under par score.
The relative calm was also exploited by Korhonen, who started with three birdies in the four first holes.
“I thought I would probably have a chance today because it’s definitely the most calm day I’ve seen here,” said the 36-year-old.
McDowell, who said before the tournament began that he was determined to regain the form that made him a Major winner, was the leader for the early part of the day.
A bogey at the par four sixth added a blemish to his card, but the Northern Irishman was more than satisfied with his 66.
“Yeah, very happy with that,” he said.
“Even though conditions were benign you’ve got to go out there and play the golf and take advantage, and thankfully (I) managed to do that this morning.”
Pre-tournament favorite and world No. 10, Sweden’s Alex Noren, recovered from a stuttering start to post a four-under 68, the same score as South Africa’s Ernie Els and Ryder Cup 2018 captain, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn.
“I didn’t really play that well on the front nine,” said Noren, who went out in par.
“I started to hit some better shots on the back nine, getting a little bit closer... really happy with the back nine.”
Less happy thought was Tommy Fleetwood, the Abu Dhabi championship winner last week.
The Englishman finished at one-over-par, hitting three straight bogeys on holes 14, 15 and 16.
Que rallies
The Philippines’ Angelo Que bounced back from an opening bogey to tie for first with Japan’s Azuma Yano at the end of the first day of the Myanmar Open on Thursday.
The three times Asian tour winner, who finished joint 11th in Singapore last week after a string of last round bogeys, notched seven birdies to end the day on a six-under-par 65 at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club in Yangon.
He shared the clubhouse lead with three-time Japan champion Yano, who hit four straight birdies in his bid to better his runner-up result from last year.
“It was the first hole (bogey) and first hole jitters maybe,” said Que, who is renowned on the tour circuit for his bright colored attire.
“I told myself it was the first hole and there are so many holes left, so be patient. That’s what happened and I made the birdies.”
Korean star K.T. Kim ended the day trailing the leaders by one shot on 66, alongside countryman Hwang Jung-gon and Makoto Inoue of Japan.
Last year’s winner, Shaun Norris, ended the day four-over-par on 75.
Golfers from 30 different nations are competing at the four-day Leopalace21 Open for a share of the $750,000 purse in Myanmar’s richest tournament.
Since emerging from decades of isolating military rule, Myanmar has witnessed a nascent golfing scene both for amateurs and professionals.
This year is the first time it is being played at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club after moving from last year’s venue at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.
