Clark Dennis. Photo: Getty Images
By Kent Gray
The European Senior Tour might have started the new season with a fresh name, but it’s clear Clark Dennis hasn’t changed one bit.
Dennis started the new Staysure Tour season where he left off last season as order of merit champion, a sizzling 65 earning the 52-year-old Texan a sizeable lead on the opening day of the 2nd Sharjah Senior Golf Masters. The American’s bogey-free seven under loop of Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club will see him start Friday’s second round with a three shot buffer over Thai Thaworn Wiratchant, Englishman Philip Golding and Frenchman Marc Farry.
Related: Dennis a happily marked man in Sharjah
Peter Baker (England) and South African James Kingston are a further shot back after 69s.
“It’s great, I played very nicely today, didn’t make a bogey and I think I only missed one green,” Dennis said afterwards.
“It was a pretty stress-free round, I hit a lot of good shots and could have been a few lower. First group out, I was honoured to be able to hit the first shot of the new Staysure Tour, it was perfect conditions, not a breath of wind for nine holes. The greens are perfect and the course is in phenomenal condition. It was there to be had. It’s a good place to be, at the top of the leaderboard…that’s certainly my preference.”
An historic moment this morning as Clark Dennis struck the first tee shot of the Staysure Tour era #SharjahSGM pic.twitter.com/YM7F5UjHCO
— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) March 8, 2018
Defending champion Chris Williams (South Africa) opened with an even par 72 while Dubai-based amateur Steven Kelbrick signed for a three-over 75.
Related: Meet the Dubai amateur aiming for a play date with Tom Watson…via Sharjah
A third consecutive birdie for Clark Dennis and the American moves to five under par, one stroke ahead of Peter Fowler who eagled the 15th #SharjahSGM pic.twitter.com/kwB6hQjQn4
— Staysure Tour (@StaysureTour) March 8, 2018