By Kent Gray
Jamie Elson transformed a forgettable dress-rehearsal in Kuwait into a near perfect opening day performance in Ajman to edge ever closer to the MENA Tour’s potentially career-changing Order-of-Merit (OOM) title.

Frustrated with his one-over-par finish for a share of 34th place at the Saraha Kuwait Golf Championship last week, the 36-year-old Englishman knuckled down on the range over the weekend and was rewarded with a pace-setting six-under 66 at the MENA Tour Championship.

Elson leads by one from defending champion Tyler Hogarty (South Africa) but more importantly opened up a four shot buffer over his nearest rival for the OOM title, compatriot Luke Joy, on a perfect day for scoring at Al Zorah G.C.

The overall title will be Elson’s if he wins this week, finishes in the top three providing Joy doesn’t win or if Joy finishes outside the top 5.

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Joy was T-9 overnight but with 54-holes to play, this is far from over.

“I had a bad week in Kuwait that probably helped me focus better. My preparations for this week were certainly much better,” Elon said afterwards. “I hope I can keep the momentum going all the way through.”

Elson opened with three birdies in his first six holes and then made amends for a bogey on the 7th with a bounce-back gain on the 8th before rattling off three homeward birdies.

“I felt in complete control of my game which was good. Missed a couple of putts here and there, but overall played good golf.

“If you’re playing well, this course can offer you plenty of scoring opportunities. I made just one bogey which shows I was pretty accurate with my game out there.”

Tyler Hogarty

Hogarty, a shot clear of Sweden’s Henric Sturehed who opened up with a 68, equally pleased with his opening round.

“I began with a birdie and finished with a birdie, which was quite pleasing. Everything about the about the course, from fairways to greens, is just perfect,” said Hogarty.

Todd Clements cruised to his familiar place at the top of the amateur leaderboard ilong with fellow Englishman Sam Hobday after a 67 that included five birdies and three bogeys. England’s Taylor Carter was a further four shots back, one clear of India’s Arkesh Bhatia on a day when 21 players broke par.