Faycal Serghini and Per Barth shot matching six-under 66s to share the first round lead as 2016 European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke returned a 71 at the MENA Golf Tour’s Ras Al Khaimah Classic.
Morocco’s Serghini went bogey free in Monday’s opening round while Sweden’s Barth lit up the back nine with five birdies after making the turn at one under to take a oneshot lead over the English duo of James Allan (amateur) and Michael Downes.
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A five-man group, headed by Welsh ace Stephen Dodd and Scotland’s Ted Innes Ker, led the chasing pack, moving into a tie for fifth on four under.
Serghini felt he was in control of the proceedings most of the time after early hiccups.
“With a wayward drive on the first and a terrible approach on the second, I did not get off to a very good start, but just managed to save pars. Played steady golf thereafter,” said Serghini, who played the back nine at four under.
“I felt like I was in the zone most of the day. Can’t complain after opening with a 66.”
Sweden’s Barth was equally pleased with his day’s efforts.
Clarke, who is the patron of the MENA Golf Tour, enjoyed his first round on the tour.
“I may have struggled a bit with the speed of the greens, but overall I had good fun on this course,” said the 42-year-old Ulsterman whose opening round consisted of two birdies and a bogey.
Defending champion Ahmed Marjan settled for a 75, but won a word of praise from Clarke, his partner. “He may have left some shots out there, but he played some good golf,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dodd, a three-time winner on the European Tour, flew out of the gate with birdies on his first two holes and kept the momentum rolling all the way through to stay in contention for his third title on the MENA Golf Tour.
Miles Tunnicliff, a two-time winner on the European Tour, played the last 15 holes at four under for a tidy 69.