Coby Carruthers made the most of an invitation from the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) on Wednesday. The Australian shot a bogey-free eight-under-par 62 to lead the Abu Dhabi Challenge after the opening round at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
He is one shot clear of Belgium’s James Meyer de Beco, whose 63 kept his hopes of a season-ending trip to Mallorca alive.
The Abu Dhabi Challenge is one of the final events before the Road to Mallorca Rankings are decided. The top 45 players in the Rankings qualify for the Grand Final in Mallorca, and the leading 15 at the end of the season earn DP World Tour cards.
A familiar course for the UAE Cup winner
Carruthers, 21, knows Al Ain well. He won the inaugural UAE Cup at the same course in October 2024 as an amateur. That victory earned him a place in last year’s Abu Dhabi Challenge and a spot at Asian Tour Q School.
This week he returned as a professional, taking one of the 30 places allocated to the EGF.
“A couple of years ago I won the UAE Cup, and the EGF have been nice enough to invite me the last two years, which has been really nice,” said Carruthers. “That’s how I got in the field.”
How Carruthers built his 62
As a late starter, Carruthers took advantage of calmer afternoon conditions. He birdied the difficult second, the drivable par-four fourth and the seventh to turn in 32.
He then came home in 30. Birdies followed at the 11th, 12th, 14th and 16th, and he closed with a birdie at the par-five 18th. That final birdie moved him one clear of Meyer de Beco, who had set the clubhouse target earlier in the day.
Carruthers missed only one fairway and two greens all day.
“I got off to a nice start. I holed a good birdie putt on the second and just kept it in play off the tee,” he said. “I know it’s super important to stay out of the rough here.”
Bouncing back from missed cuts
The strong start follows a difficult spell. Carruthers missed the cut at the Abu Dhabi Challenge last year and again at the Open de Portugal earlier this month.
“It’s not that easy, I promise,” he said. “It was just about resetting and getting back in a good headspace. I’ve played well here before, so it’s nice to be back.
“I’ve been struggling the last few days on the range, but I put all that behind me today and just played, which is what I think I’m good at. I’m going to go out there and have fun, keep hitting fairways and greens, and see what happens.”
Meyer de Beco eyes Mallorca
Meyer de Beco was also bogey-free. He reached the turn in 31, with four birdies in five holes from the second, including a two at the par-three third. On the back nine he birdied the 12th and 13th, making another two, before closing with a birdie at the 18th.
The 26-year-old started the week 68th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings. First, he needs to play his way into the Final Swing, which starts in China next week with the Hainan Open and Hangzhou Open. A good week in Al Ain could also set up a first appearance at the Grand Final.
“Obviously when you’re bogey free it’s always a good round and I’m really happy with it, especially in these windy conditions,” said Meyer de Beco. “My putter was hot, nearly as hot as the temperature.”
He added: “I’m going to try and not think about what’s at stake too much. It would mean a lot to get to Mallorca. That was the main goal of the season, and when you get there anything can happen.”
Abu Dhabi Challenge leaderboard after round one
Three players share third place on six under after rounds of 64:
- Matthis Besard (Belgium)
- Michael Hirmer (Germany)
- Victor Sidal Svendsen (Denmark)
A further seven players are tied on five under: England’s Tom Sloman, Germany’s Jan Schneider, Italy’s Matteo Cristoni, the Netherlands’ Lars van der Vight, Denmark’s Hamish Brown, Australia’s Haydn Barron and American Alex Goff.
Ireland’s Liam Nolan, who began the week 43rd on the Rankings and just inside the Grand Final places, opened with a 66 to sit tied 13th.
UAE-based players and Chris Wood
Among the UAE-based players, 2024 champion Garrick Porteous, another EGF invitee, shot 67 to sit tied 23rd. Four-time DP World Tour winner David Horsey opened with a 68 and is tied 45th. He is 15th on the Rankings, the last card spot, as he chases a return to the DP World Tour.
Former European Ryder Cup player Chris Wood opened with a level-par 70. “It’s very hot, but we’re very lucky to be out here,” he said.
Round two tee times
The second round of the Abu Dhabi Challenge begins at 6.30am local time on Thursday. Carruthers tees off at 7.30am alongside England’s Callum Tarren.
The tournament is staged in partnership with co-organiser and sanctioning body the Emirates Golf Federation and is supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Entry is free throughout the week.
