Brandon Stone got his overseas campaign to regain his former playing status underway well on Thursday with a five-under-par 67 in the first round of the Challenge Tour’s Abu Dhabi Challenge at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Stone, who has lost his playing rights on the DP World Tour, has returned to his roots and he carded six birdies and just a single bogey as he settled into a share of fifth. He was three shots behind the lead which was held by Tom Lewis of England, who had nine birdies and a bogey in his 64. Lewis led by one from Julien Sale of France and fellow-Englishman Joshua Grenville-Wood.
Dylan Mostert was just one stroke behind Stone on four-under in a share of 10th, while Wilco Nienaber shared 12th on three-under. Casey Jarvis, Tristen Strydom and Keenan Davidse were all on two-under-par after the first round, while Ruan Conradie and JJ Senekal were on one-under.
Jaco Prinsloo and Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith were on level-par. Lower down the leaderboard, Luke Jerling battled to a three-over-par 75.
