Omega Dubai Desert Classic: day 1

Bernd Wiesberger leads after the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic

Bernd Wiesberger leads after day one in Dubai
Bernd Wiesberger leads after day one in Dubai
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fergus Bisset
By
published

Bernd Wiesberger leads by one stroke after the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The Austrian posted an eight-under-par 64 over the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.

Bernd Wiesberger leads by one stroke after the first round of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. The Austrian posted an eight-under-par 64 over the Majlis Course at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai.

Wiesberger, who finished tied sixth in Abu Dhabi and then third in Qatar, continued his good run of form with an error-free round in Dubai. He played steadily to the turn, going out in 33, then turned on the after-burners to power through the closing holes. After a birdie at the 10th, the 29-year-old carded five straight birdies from the 13th to the 17th, before finishing with a par.

Four players share second place on seven-under-par after a day of exceptional scoring in Dubai. Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium reached eight-under, before bogeying his final hole – the 9th on the Majlis Course. Englishmen Andy Sullivan and Lee Westwood were bogey-free in compiling their rounds of 65, while Peter Uihlein of the USA will have been more disappointed with his finish to round one.

The American reached eight-under-par through 13 holes and looked likely to move ahead by the end of the day. But the birdies dried up and he stumbled to a bogey on the 17th.

Defending champion Stephen Gallacher carded an excellent opening round of 66 and he’s tied on that number with World Number 1 Rory McIlroy.

Martin Kaymer of Germany bounced back well from his disappointing finish in Abu Dhabi to record an opening 67.

In total, 80 players beat the par of 72 on the opening day.

Omega Dubai Desert Classic – Round 1 Scores Emirates Golf Club, Dubai, UAE Jan 29 – Feb 1, purse: €2,350,000, par: 72

1    Bernd Wiesberger (Aut)        64 T2    Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel)        65 T2    Andy Sullivan (Eng)        65 T2    Lee Westwood (Eng)        65 T2     Peter Uihlein (USA)        65 T6    Stephen Gallacher (Sco)    66 T6    Rory McIlroy (NIR)        66 T6    Max Kieffer (Ger)            66 T6    Anders Hansen (Den)        66 T6    Seve Benson (Eng)        66 T6    Hennie Otto (RSA)        66 T6    Marc Warren (Sco)        66

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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