Jackson Bell representing the home club, shot a first round 69, three under par, to lead the 36-hole Emirates UAE PGA Championships over the Fire course at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai.

Bell opened up with three gross birdies on holes 1, 6 and 7 and a dropped shot on hole nine saw him out in 34. A bogey on hole 11 saw him stand on the 12th tee one under for his round and then six pars and an eagle three on the par five 18th hole playing at 554 yards, saw him return a 69 and take a one stroke lead. Bell is in second place in the Emirates PGA Order of Merit behind Stuart Smith who is unable to play in the tournament as he is currently overseas.

In second place on the leaderboard is the defending champion Sujjan Singh (CH3 Performance Institute, The Els Club), who shot a 70 along with Thomas Ogilvie (Dubai Creek) and Jules Lompech (Abu Dhabi Golf Club).

Sujjan stood two over par on the 13th tee, and an eagle, birdie, par, birdie run, followed by pars on his two closing holes turned his round around.

Ogilvie bagged four birdies in his 70 and Lompech five birdies in his round.

Third placed on the Order of Merit Louis Gaughan (Dubai Hills GC) shot an opening 71 to be two back of the leader in tied fifth.

37 competitiors

Of the 37 player strong field seven players shot level par or better with the golf course playing at 7,138 yards, with a mix of Blue and Green Tee Decks being used.

The second round tomorrow will be played over the Earth course with tee times from 7 am – 9 am with the leaders out last.

Rory Stewart, Golf Experience Executive, Jumeirah Golf Estates, said at the conclusion of round one, ‘Congratulations to all the players for their performances in today’s first round. We have had some excellent golf from the Emirates PGA Pros. We look forward to hosting the second round on the Earth course tomorrow.’

The final threeball of the day at 9 am will be Bell, Singh and Ogilvie.

The winner of the Emirates UAE PGA Championships will receive an Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) invite to play in the $300,000 Abu Dhabi Challenge on the Challenge Tour to be held at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th April over the National Course. An invite for the following week’s UAE Challenge, again on the Challenge Tour, to be held at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club May 4th – 7th has been allocated by the EGF to the Emirates PGA, with a Qualifying Tournament to be held next Monday amongst the Emirates PGA Pros at Saadiyat Beach.

Round One Leaders (Par 72, 7,138 Yards)

1 - J. Bell (JGE) 69 (-3)2 - S. Singh (CH3 Performance Institute) 70 (-2)   - T. Ogilvie (Dubai Creek) 70 (-2)   - J. Lompech (Abu Dhabi Golf Club) 70 (-2)5 - T. Buchanan (Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club) 71 (-1)   - L. Gaughan (Dubai Hills Golf Club) 71 (-1)7 - G. Forbes (CH3 Performance Institute) 72 (Par)