It was an early 08:30 am start for the 50-man field at the Legend course in Mauritius. Overnight showers and little wind throughout the day left the Legend course defenceless for the opening day of the MCB Tour Championship for the final stop on the European Senior Tour.
Early movers included Ireland’s Mark McNulty and Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant who were hot out the blocks both signing for a six under par 66.
Defending champion, Barry Lane, had a near perfect start to his title defence. Three birdies on the front nine and two on the back nine topped, off with an eagle on the par five 18th, saw him signing for a bogey-free six under 66. This saw him sharing the second position with McNulty and Wiratchant. Order of merit leader Clark Dennis had a fine showing on his first day at the MCB Tour Championship with six birdies and two bogeys ending on a four under par 68.
Australia’s Peter Fowler having a bogey-free round managed to end the day atop the field with his birdie start setting the tone for things to come. Turning in 32 it was much the same on the back nine where he added three more birdies to his tally. His seven birdies, with no dropped shots, gave him a stellar seven under par 65 to lead by one.
With big names rising to the top and others like Frost and Williams waiting in the wings it makes for an appetising day two of the MCB Tour Championship.
The question is who is going to make a move on the penultimate day of the tournament hosted by Constance Belle Mare Plage.
– By Mark Sampson in Mauritius.
