DP World Tour pro birdies FIRST SIX HOLES to lead Ras Al Khaimah Championship
Ryo Hisatsune, who earned his DP World Tour playing rights at Q-School back in November, made seven birdies on the front nine on Thursday at Al Hamra Golf Club.
Japan's Ryo Hisatsune raced into a two-shot lead in the first round of the Ras Al Khaimah Classic after making six birdies in his first six holes at Al Hamra Golf Club.
The 20-year-old played the first third of his round in 18 shots with five of his six birdie putts made within 10 feet. He added another birdie on the 8th hole and he was firmly on 59 watch.
He added his eighth and ninth birdies on the 10th and 15th holes in Ras Al Khaimah to reach 9-under, but a final bogey on the par-5 18th meant he carded a 64 on what looked likely to be a bogey-free day.
Nonetheless, he leads the way from the Englishman Matthew Baldwin, Rasmus Hojgaard and European Ryder Cup vice-captain Edoardo Molinari, who hasn't won on the DP World Tour in six years.
Hisatsune finished seventh after six gruelling rounds of DP World Tour Q-School in November in Spain. He went on to finish tied for second at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship behind Cameron Smith.
Hear from an elated Ryo Hisatsune after securing the clubhouse lead at eight under #RakGolfChamps pic.twitter.com/oCm9xEowYf
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 2, 2023
Ryo Hisatsune with his ninth birdie of the day!
He leads by three. #RakGolfChamps pic.twitter.com/tveBRcNPjR— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) February 2, 2023
The young Japanese star is looking for his first win on the Tour. He is three shots ahead of Ryan Fox who is looking for his third win on the circuit since February 2022.
The big-hitter from New Zealand, one of the standout players of last season, carded six birdies and a bogey on his way to a 67. Callum Shinkwin is also on 5-under off the back of his fourth-place finish in Dubai last week.
Adrian Meronk is one shot further back on 4-under, while three-time major champion Padraig Harrington continues his late-career resurgence with a 3-under 69.
Ras Al Khaimah Championship - First-round leaderboard
-8 R Hisatsune
-6 M Baldwin, R Hojgaard, E Molinari
-5 K Higa, O Hundeboll, A Bjork, C Shinkwin, O Bekker, R Fox
-4 P Larrazabal, W Besseling, J Veerman, A Meronk, D Gavins, L De Jager, N Kimsey
