Staff WriterSebastian Garcia wasted no time shaking off the winter rust at the Abu Dhabi Challenge, firing a flawless seven‑under‑par 63 to seize a one‑shot lead.
The Spaniard’s bogey‑free round at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club set the clubhouse ablaze and established a new benchmark for day one.
A Front‑Nine Masterclass
Garcia opened with a birdie on the first hole, then turned heads with an eagle on the drivable fourth.
From there, he picked up three more shots around the turn, strolling through his front nine in four under par.
A tidy string of pars on the back nine preceded a final birdie on 16, delivering a round as smooth as Arabian silk.
Thriving in Tough Conditions
The 36‑year‑old, currently 85th in the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca Rankings, tackled gusty afternoon winds with ice‑cold composure.
“I am feeling very good. I was solid in the tough afternoon conditions, so I am very happy,” he said. “I had two or three difficult up and downs and I played very well from the tee box.”
The Eagle That Stole the Show
The highlight, however, came at the fourth hole. After a picture‑perfect hybrid tee shot, Garcia sank a nine‑metre putt for eagle—a moment he still savours.
“It was good. I hit a hybrid to nine metres and then hit a nice putt,” he added.
“It was difficult out there in the afternoon. I haven’t seen the scores, but I am guessing they are higher.”
Eyes on Calmer Mornings
With his second round teeing off early on Friday, Garcia is already planning for gentler breezes.
“It will be perfect because there will be no wind, and a little fire will be taken out of the course.
I won’t change anything. This course, you need to be aggressive from the tee and second shots.”
A Tight Chase Pack
Hot on his heels at six under par are four challengers: Dane Victor Sidal Svendsen, Germany’s Freddy Schott, France’s Robin Sciot‑Siegrist and fellow Spaniard Albert Boneta.
Just a stroke further back, on five under, sit Daniel Young, Daan Huizing, Felix Mory and Chase Hanna. Not far behind, a group of contenders—including Albin Bergström, Denwit David Boriboonsub and Callum Farr—stand at four under.
Last week’s UAE Challenge winner Renato Paratore lurks at one under, alongside Road to Mallorca No. 4 Wilco Nienaber, ensuring the leaderboard remains as unpredictable as the desert wind.
What’s Next at the Abu Dhabi Challenge
Round two of the Abu Dhabi Challenge kicks off at 06:30 on Friday, with Garcia set to tee off at 07:40 alongside France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy and South Africa’s Jaco Prinsloo.
As the early‑morning sun bathes the fairways in golden light, all eyes will be on Garcia to see if he can transform his opening salvo into a wire‑to‑wire victory.
