SHERGO FIVE OFF THE CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Jordan’s Shergo Kirdi lies five shots off the lead after the first day of the 37th Arab Golf Championship being held in Aqaba at the world-class Ayla Course.

The 14-year-old rising star shot a one-over, 73, five shots behind leader Dahmani Safiani, of Morocco, who shot a fine four-under, 68, on the Greg Norman-designed course.

It turned out to be a strong first day for the Moroccans, with Safiani’s teammate lying second and Egypt’s Issa Abu Al Ola in third. Kurdi, the youngest player in the field, is in 10th.

Morocco not surprisingly lead the team standings with a collective 207 shots from the top three players’ rounds. Egypt are in second with 215 shots, while Tunisia are third on 223.

Jordan are eighth with 234 shots.

The event will continue for the next two days with Jordan’s golfers – Kurdi, Riyad Al Majali, Tareq Al Gababsheh and Hisham Abu Rashed – all hoping to rise up the leader board.

“It’s been a really high standard of play on the opening day which bodes well for the next couple of days,” said Jordan Golf Federation President, Hani Al Abdullat.

Aqaba has welcomed 12 participating countries including Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan.