For anyone who missed the first 18 holes of the European Challenge Tour's season finale, here is the best of what happened at Al Mouj Golf as the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final began.
Jordi starts the week
Off we go!
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) November 2, 2016
Jordi Garcia Pinto starts the #NBOGrandFinal pic.twitter.com/7AQuXyGhXN
With the players going out in reverse Rankings order, the last man in the field Jordi Garcia Pinto had the honour of hitting the opening drive of the tournament - the Spaniard finished level par after day one.
Master of the ceremonies
It's official 👍
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) November 2, 2016
His excellency hits the ceremonial #NBOGrandFinal tee shot pic.twitter.com/obhCEYdQ66
The Challenge Tour had royal visitors as his excellency Ahmed bin Nasser bin Ahmed Al Marhizi, the Omani minister for tourism, hit a ceremonial tee shot to declare the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final officially open.
Swede dreams
The early runners had a distinctly Scandinavian feel to them as Oscar Stark, Anton Karlsson and Jens Dantorp all made fast starts. Stark at one stage led on five under par before dropping a couple on his back nine, while Dantorp and Karlsson both signed for four under par rounds of 68.
Hammer time
Par golf? No thanks!#HammerTime at the #NBOGrandFinal as Bernd takes 9 holes to make his first par - he's two off the early lead pic.twitter.com/WiV1PSQgEt
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) November 2, 2016
An eventful opening eight holes for Road to Oman Number Six Bernd Ritthammer - not a par among them, with six birdies and two bogeys. A slightly more serene back nine took the German to five under par, and just one shot off the first round lead.
Flying Fox
Fox is dialled in 🎯@ryanfoxgolfer is -7 after 12 and is one back at the #NBOGrandFinal pic.twitter.com/j3ljtiGWds
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) November 2, 2016
No pressure this week for last year's heartbreak story Ryan Fox as he has already tied up his European Tour status, and the New Zealander was irresistible for much of today, briefly reaching seven under par before dropping shots coming in. He sits two shots back after round one, level with Rankings leader and playing partner Jordan Smith.
Bubble boys ignoring the pressure
Angles and Heath flying high ✈️
— Challenge Tour (@Challenge_Tour) November 2, 2016
Both players came to Oman needing big weeks, and they are both currently in the #NBOGrandFinal top three. pic.twitter.com/h2HVEkA5fq
With 16 players graduating on Saturday, the pressure was significantly increased on Pep Angles, currently occupying the 16th and final spot. The Spaniard responded in style, bogey-free for a six under par 66, which was matched by his playing partner James Heath.
Heath also needs a big week as he is currently sitting in 18th spot, and it could have been even better for the Englishman - a double-bogey on the 17th cost him the outright lead, but he is joint top after day one.
The perfect birthday present for Pavon
Joining Angles and Heath in the first round lead is Matthieu Pavon, who turned 24 today and celebrated it in style, making seven birdies in front of his mother and girlfriend to also sign for a 66 and put himself well in contention for a maiden Challenge Tour title to go with his already-assured European Tour card.
