The first round of the thirty six hole 2023 Jumeirah Golf Estates Club Championships took place today (Saturday).

In the four divisions, Raghav Malik (71) leads the Men’s Division, Anca Matieu (76) the Ladies’ Division, Julian Mountford (80) and Chris Wilmot (80) the Senior Division and Samarbir Kochar (74) and Gregorio Grasselli (74) the Junior Division (18 years and under).

The first round was played over the Fire course, with the round of the day by Raghav Malik with a gross 71.

Malik, playing off a two handicap, went out in level par 36 with a bogey on hole five, pegged back to parity with a birdie on nine. A bogey on hole 10 was followed by birdies on holes 13 and 16, with the other six back nine holes played in pars to return the only under par gross round of the day.

One shot back on level par is David Bainbridge with a four birdie – four bogey round.

In the Ladies’ Division Anca Matieu shot a 76, to also lie in tied fourth in the Junior Division.

A tie at the top with matching 80’s sees Julian Mountford and Chris Wilmot battling for honours in the over 50’s division.

Finally, the Junior Division is led by Kochar and Grasselli, both scoring 74’s.

Tomorrow’s (Sunday) second round in the 36-hole event will be played on Earth course with the leaders out last in gross order. The final tee time tomorrow (Sunday) sees Malik, Bainbridge and Stephenson tee off at 1.07 pm. The first tee time of the day is at 6.40 am. The Awards Ceremony will take place after all players have completed their second rounds with both gross and net prizes up for grabs. In the net divisions there is a 95% Course Handicap allowance.

First Round Leading Scores (Par 72. Men’s: 7,100 Yards, Ladies’: 5,610 Yards and Juniors: 6,507 Yards. Handicaps in Brackets)

Men’s Division

R. Malik (2) 71D. Bainbridge (+1) 72T. Stephenson (1) 73J. Muller (7) 73

Ladies Division

A. Mateiu (+1) 76

Senior Division (Over 50 years of age)

J. Mountford (2) 80C. Wilmot (2) 80

Junior Division (18 years of age and under)

S. Kochar (9) 74G. Grasselli (+1) 74