George Groves carded an opening round of 77 and will take a three-stroke lead into the final of the inaugural EDGA Dubai Finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates following the disqualification of Mike Browne after play.
Groves went out in 41 and came back in level-par 36 to post a 5-over-par round and sit three clear of Christopher Biggins on 8-over-par. Browne had carded a 79 to sit in second place but was later disqualified after signing for an incorrect score on hole 6.
Two players sit in a share of third on 11-over-par after day one – Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor and American Chad Pfeifer – while France’s Charle-Henri Quelin shot an 86 and lies in fifth place.
Australia’s Geoff Nicholas, who qualified for this year’s Senior Open Championship at Royal Lytham, shot 18-over while Sweden’s Joakim Bjorkman is in eighth place after a 19-over-par 91.
The final round gets underway on Saturday at 07:00am from the first tee.
