Simon Dunn took the lead after the first round of the 2024 EGF Order of Merit Championship at Al Zorah Golf Club in Ajman. He shot a remarkable four under par 68 to lead the Men’s Division. Dunn, a new member of Al Hamra Golf Club and a former professional player on the Asian Tour, had an impressive round with seven birdies and nines of 33 and 35. Despite facing challenges with arthritis in his fingers and a shoulder injury, Dunn managed to secure the top spot in the tournament.
Dunn, who now plays off a +5 handicap, previously won the Al Zorah Men’s Open earlier in the season but has not been actively playing much golf this year. He mentioned that he has been struggling with his game due to his physical health issues, including arthritis and a dodgy shoulder. However, he remains determined to continue competing and is hopeful that his new thick jumbo grips on his clubs will help improve his performance in the tournament.
Jonathan Selvaraj, the current leader of the Men’s Division EGF Order of Merit, managed to stay close to Dunn with seven birdies in his round of 70, finishing two under par. Despite his solid performance, Selvaraj admitted to having some setbacks during the round with three bogeys and a double on hole nine. The young golfer, aged 20, shared his thoughts on the challenging course conditions, praising the course’s excellent condition and true-running greens.
In the Ladies’ Division, Hannah Alan from Dubai Creek leads with a score of 75, with only a four-shot difference between the top four players. The tournament not only includes the 54-hole Men’s and Ladies’ Order of Merit categories but also features additional categories such as junior Boy’s Gross, Junior Boy’s Net, Junior Girls’ Gross, and Junior Girls’ Net. The tournament continues over the weekend with 36-hole tournaments for these additional categories.
The second round for the Men’s and Ladies’ Divisions is set to take place on Saturday, with the first tee time scheduled for 7 am. The EGF Order of Merit Championship awards points based on the field size, making it an essential event for the season-long Order of Merits. With an increased field size this year, the championship is crucial for players looking to earn valuable points towards their rankings.
In the Men’s Division, Dunn leads with a score of 70, followed closely by Selvaraj and Skaik from EGF with scores of 72. In the Ladies’ Division, Alan holds the top position with a score of 75, followed by Rich, Engsig, and Camero with scores of 76, 78, and 79 respectively. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Dunn and Alan to maintain their lead in their respective divisions over the next two days of competitive golf.
