Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas underlined his undoubted talent as he carded a four-under round of 69 to sit just three off the clubhouse lead in his first Asian Tour professional start at International Series Morocco.

The Dubai-born 24-year-old, who turned pro after graduating from Oklahoma State University this summer, teed off on 10 in the morning session at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam’s testing Red Course and he got off to a strong start with a birdie on 12, his third hole.

A dropped shot on 14 was the only blip for the Indian all day, and he hit back quickly with a birdie the following hole, before chipping in for an eagle on the 287-yard par 4 17th and recording another birdie at his turn on the first.

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Consistently straight off the tee, Thomas parred his way home, and declared himself satisfied with the four-under 69 that left him three behind the clubhouse leader, International Series Macau presented by Wynn champion John Catlin. He said: “I felt pretty good out there, I drove the ball well and took my opportunities when I had them.

“I did all the basics very well, and I kept everything in front of me which was nice. I felt good, I have been seeing some real progress over the last couple of months and it was great to go out there and shoot a decent number. I did (leave a few behind) but for the best part I got a lot out of my round and I am pretty happy with it overall.”

Thomas, who finished runner-up in the 2018 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, admits he will not change his approach too much for the second round.

“Pick good targets and be aggressive, and wherever the ball goes, it goes,” he said. “Hopefully I can keep playing the way I’m playing, make some birdies and hopefully have a chance on Sunday.”

International Series Morocco is the eighth event on the Asian Tour and third of ten elevated events which offer a pathway onto the LIV Golf League.

Main Image: Asian Tour.