Thomas takes one-shot lead

Rayhan Thomas...in top form. - Supplied photo

Young Rayhan Thomas shot a career-best five-under 66 to seize the early initiative, leaving many better-known names trailing in his wake after the opening round of the Mena Golf Tour's Dubai Creek Open on Monday, a Press release said.
Playing on his home course, the 15-year-old Dubai-based amateur from India reeled off one eagle and four birdies against a lone bogey to take a one-shot lead over his playing partner Jake Shepherd of England and Cyril Suk of the Czech Republic.
Lurking two shots off the pace were the sizzling English duo of Luke Joy and Joshua White and Austrian Florian Praegant, who all will fancy their chances of hitting the front as the tournament wears on.
It was Thomas who dominated the proceedings with a solid all-round performance that had self-belief written all over it, making him the youngest golfer ever to lead a MENA Golf Tour tournament after the first round.
"I am really delighted with my day's work and couldn't have asked for a better start to the tournament," said Thomas, who will be homeschooled later this year to devote more time on golf.
"Certainly, the local knowledge came in handy as the key to playing good golf on this course is to avoid silly mistakes, which I did," said Thomas, who is currently ranked number one amateur in the UAE, having won virtually every championship the domestic circuit has to offer.
"What really provided the spark to my round was the eagle on the par-5, fourth when I smashed my 3-wood from 280 yards to within 15 feet and holed the ensuing putt," said Thomas who made the turn at four-under.
England's Joy opened his title defence with a 68, mixing seven birdies with two bogeys and a double bogey (on the par-4, seventh) to stay in the frame.
"I played some solid golf and hope to keep the momentum rolling all the way through. I made some silly mistakes out there as I had trouble adjusting to the speed of the greens.
"But, overall, I am pleased with my efforts," said Joy, who is in with a chance to match the feat of his compatriot Zane Scotland as the only other back-to-back winner of the event.