When a tour is just over three years old, eyebrow-raising records can be few and far between.
But Zane Scotland is nonetheless trying to extend an already-impressive feat this week at the Mena Tour’s season opener in Morocco.
The Englishman shot a 4-under 68 on Tuesday and is two shots off the first-round lead at the Royal D’Anfa Open in Mohammedia, where he is trying to win the tour’s season opener for the fourth time in as many Mena seasons.
“It was a pretty good day at work,” said Scotland, a six-time Mena winner. “I played solid golf, which was nice. I think conditions were pretty good for scoring, since there was no wind.”
Scotland won four times last year and claimed the tour’s Order of Merit. However, at this particular event, he lost in a playoff. The highlight of the round came when Scotland eagled the 16th hole after knocking a 5-iron second shot to within 20 feet.
“The course is in great condition and greens are rolling nice,” he said.
England’s Joshua White, who turned pro last fall, shot 66 in the afternoon round to take the lead.
Italy’s Alessandro Tadini is three strokes back, tied with Spain’s Toni Ferrer and Scotland’s Paul Dougherty. Playing in his first Mena event, Tadini made a good start but missed some easy putts from close range.
“My long game was pretty good, as always, but I just played fantastic from 130 metres to the pin,” said the 40-year-old Italian, who was in the first group off the tee. “My putting was so-so, as I missed at least four easy putts, all from within three meters.
“The course is in great condition, but things will become interesting if the wind picks up, when it won’t be easy to go low.”
Ross McGowan, a former European Tour player, is in a five-way tie for sixth, though he four-putted three times.
“Which wasn’t good,” he said.
“The course is just fantastic. If you are accurate off the tee, you can create plenty of scoring opportunities,” McGowan said. “I think I need to improve if I aim to capitalise on those opportunities.”
Tadini’s best finish on the European Tour is a top-five at the 2005 Welsh Open. Defending champion Stephen Dodd of Wales, who finished joint 17th in the European Tour event in Morocco last Sunday, settled for a 74. Moroccan native Younes El Hassani led the home charge with a 71.
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014
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The%20specs
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MATCH INFO
Day 1 at Mount Maunganui
England 241-4
Denly 74, Stokes 67 not out, De Grandhomme 2-28
New Zealand
Yet to bat
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
UAE SQUAD
UAE team
1. Chris Jones-Griffiths 2. Gio Fourie 3. Craig Nutt 4. Daniel Perry 5. Isaac Porter 6. Matt Mills 7. Hamish Anderson 8. Jaen Botes 9. Barry Dwyer 10. Luke Stevenson (captain) 11. Sean Carey 12. Andrew Powell 13. Saki Naisau 14. Thinus Steyn 15. Matt Richards
Replacements
16. Lukas Waddington 17. Murray Reason 18. Ahmed Moosa 19. Stephen Ferguson 20. Sean Stevens 21. Ed Armitage 22. Kini Natuna 23. Majid Al Balooshi
