Pinto, Buchard share lead with 68s after Round One of 2024 Dubai Hills Golf Club Amateur Open

Mikhail Pinto from Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club and Thomas Buchard from The Els Club both fired impressive rounds of four under par 68 to share the lead after the first round of the 2024 Dubai Hills Golf Club Amateur Open.

Leading the Ladies’ Gross Division is Sara Engsig (EGF), who delivered carded a strong three under par 69. Engsig sits four shots clear of second-place Lucia Maturi (JGE).

This event marks the second qualifier in the Emirates Golf Federation’s (EGF) 2024-25 Men’s and Ladies’ Order of Merit, following the first qualifier held at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.

Dubai Creek’s Mikhail Pinto shot a four-under par 68 to share the lead with Thomas Buchard from The Els Club in the first round of the 2024 Dubai Hills Golf Club Amateur Open for men and women.

It is the second Emirates Golf Federation’s (EGF) 2024 – 25 Men’s and Ladies’ Order of Merit Qualifier following the first qualifier at Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club.

Pinto was out in one birdie 35 and came home with birdies on holes 11, 14 and 17 with no negative bogeys to be back in 33.

Buchard had a more mixed round – with one eagle on hole 11, five birdies and three bogeys – including dropped shots late in his round on holes 16 and 18.

A field of 71 players are competing in the Men’s Division.

Leading the Ladies’ Gross Division of six players, is Sara Engsig (EGF) with a three under par 69 – four shots ahead of second-placed Lucia Maturi (JGE).

Conor Rogers Operations Manager, Dubai Hills Golf Club, said: “We have had an excellent round one with nine players beating par in both the Maen’s and Ladies’ Divisions. We are proud of the condition of the playing surfaces of the course – especially the greens.

“We look forward to an exciting finish to this 36-hole event. It looks like there are plenty of players in the mix – with some good golf already played and still ahead of us tomorrow (Sunday). Good luck to all players,” Rogers added.

Tee times for round two on Sunday start at 7.00 am off both tees – both one and ten, with the Men’s leading threes-ball off at 8.36 am off tee one and the Ladies’ leading three-ball off at 7.48 am, again off tee one.

Pinto (Dubai Creek) 68.

Buchard (The Els Club, Dubai) 68.

Craig (Jumeirah Golf Estates) 70.

Mullane (EGF) 70.

Buchard (1, The Els Club, Dubai) 67.

Goldsmith (5, Dubai Hills GC) 69.

Engsig (EGF) 69.

Maturi (JGE) 73.

Iatsuliak (Dubai Hills GC) 76.

Iatsuliak (10 Dubai Hills GC) 66.

Engsig (1, EGF) 68.