Six under par was the score of the day at the ISPS Handa World Invitational Men | Women, Presented by Modest! Golf Management as Craig Ross and Eleanor Givens wrote their names into the record books as first round leaders.
Ross, from Scotland, carded a six under par 64 at Massereene Golf Club while England’s Givens signed for her own six under par 67 at Galgorm Castle Golf Club to each lead their respective tournaments by one stroke from two competitors.
Five of the top seven players in tied fourth or better in the men’s tournament were playing at Massereene, while 13 of the top 14 in the women’s tournament opened their tournament at Galgorm Castle, highlighting how the scoring contrasted at each set-up.
With heavy rain curtailing the Pro-Am on Wednesday, both courses were wet underfoot early on day one, with the majority of the low scorers playing later in the day.
Ross’s superb bogey-free 64 set the pace in the men’s tournament ahead of England’s Richard Mansell and Frenchman Gary Stal on five under par, while Calum Hill, who has won twice in his last three starts is a shot further back among the pack on four under par.
Givens, meanwhile, leads on six under from American Beth Allen and Germany’s Karolin Lampert, who are two shots clear of Silvia Banon, Manon de Roey, Annabel Dimmock and local star Stephanie Meadow on three under par.
Givens, who has previously teed it up in the ISPS Handa Vic Open with a similar format to this week, said: “I’m really pleased with how I played today. I played really solid golf and was really happy with how it was. It’s actually my first time playing with some new clubs I have so it was nice to start with that and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.
“It’s actually been really nice weather and the greens are rolling really nicely so there’s definitely a score out there to be had. I had a little bit of a slow patch towards the end of my first nine holes but then played really well on the back nine.”
Ross, who is playing in his maiden European Challenge Tour season, said: “It was great to put a 64 together today. I’ve had some poor performances to start the season, so it’s nice to be able to put a strong score together out there today.
“I was missing a few greens early on but made some good up-and-downs over my opening nine and then on the closing nine I was just able to slot in some birdie putts and it was obviously great to finish with five birdies in the last six holes.
“I really enjoyed playing in the Jordan Mixed Open, where we were paired up with one woman and a senior. I know this event is a little bit different in that we are not playing directly against the girls but it’s cool to see another format like this on the schedule and I’ve been really enjoying the experience so far.”
