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Dubai: The Majis course at Emirates Golf club, in pristine condition following the Dubai Desert Classic, proved to be the ultimate test for the fine field of amateur players assembled to compete for coveted Emirates Amateur Open title.
Only 19 of the 129 players competing managed to break 80 on a course playing its full yardage.
Consistent
With rough shorter than for the Dubai Desert Classic but still extremely penal, and with greens akin to marble, the players experienced a taste of what the best players in the world competed on only last week.
Joint leaders after day 1 are Bryan Hoops from Royal Dunes Golf club and Philip Ridden from Newcastle Golf Club both managed creditable 3 over par 75's.
Both players cards were a picture of consistency, avoiding any major disastours which were a trademark of many cards on day 1.
Ridden played the hugely difficult front nine in one under par 34 and looked set for a great round, but four bogeys in five holes from the twelfth hole saw shots slip away.
Hoops on the other hand covered the front nine in two over 37 and the back in one over 38 to craft his excellent 75.
Local player
Four players are tied on 76 with local based player Dino Varkey (DCGYC) best placed from UAE based players.
Defending champion Scott Nightingale slipped to a 79, but lies only 4 shots back from the leaders.
Defending champion Scott Nightingale slipped to a 79, but lies only 4 shots back from the leaders...
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