Yacoob, Al Kaabi joint leaders after day one of Golf Open

Manama : Six-time champion and Bahrain national team player Nasser Yacoob along along with Saleh Ali Al Kaabi of Doha Golf Club have set the pace and lead after yesterday’s first day’s play with a gross 67 three under par of the two-day 54th Bahrain Open Golf Championship over 36 holes at Awali Golf Club (AGC). In perfect conditions compared to last week when the 29th Bahrain Ladies Open was called off after the first day due to heavy night rains, the only problems confronting the more than 100 golfers was the amount of ‘cabbage’ that had grown on the course since last week!! More than 100 players including a number of professionals teed off from 7am and nearly all safely negotiated the course. Yacoob was impressive with birdies on holes 5,10,14 and 16, while Al Kaabi had birdies on holes 3,5 and 16. Saqer Al Noaimi (68) recorded birdies on the 8, 11 and 17 holes and Nabeel Mohammed Saabt (69)  and Rory Young (69) from Al Ghazal in Abu Dhabi, UAE with birdies on holes 1,2,5,6, 13 were the only other players below par. Completing the main contenders on 72 were Abdulla Al Hakam and Mohammed Diab Al Noaimi (71), followed by four players on 72 which includes five-time winner Hamad Al Mubarak Al Afnan with five title wins, former AGC Head Professional and 2004 winner David Park from Wishaw Golf Club in Scotland, current AGC Head Professional coach Matt Chalmers and Khalifa Mohammed and Khalifa Al Murisi. The best front nine scores were recorded by Nabeel Mohammed  and Saabt Saleh Ali Kaabi and Rory Young (33 gross) and the back nine by Nasser Yacoob and Mathew Chalmers (32). The top ten players all receive prizes, while the top gross and nett scores on both the first and second day outside the main prizes will also receive prizes. A Mercedes-Benz car sponsored by Al Haddad Motors and AXA Insurance is up for grabs for the first non-professional player on the sixth hole, which was not claimed on Day, though a number of golfers recorded eagle putts at various holes outside the maine contenders. Other event sponsors include Bapco, Banz Group, African and Eastern and Coca-Cola and all spectators are welcome to attend what promises to be an exciting final day with action today from 7am with a prize giving ceremony at around 5.30pm.