November 10, 2022 – Cairo: A host of Arab golfers highlighted the strength of the region’s game in the first round of the International Series Egypt as Australian veteran Scott Hend took the first-round lead at the Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo.

Moroccan star Ayoub Lguirati was pick of the bunch with a sensational four under round of 66 to finish four off Hend’s sparkling 62.

Starting on 10, he carded birdies on 15 and 16 and then picked up four shots on the spin on the turn, and he was tied third at one point before the only blemish of his round, a bogey on eight.

Commenting on his performance, Lguirati said: “I'm happy to start the tournament like this, I didn't hit the ball well this morning at practice, but I remained patient and positive, and I landed some great putts. I'm very happy to play on this tour, I feel that I have the ability to be among his players.”

Starting on 10, Lguirati carded birdies on 15 and 16 and then picked up four shots on the spin on the turn, and he was tied third at one point before the only blemish of his round, a bogey on eight.

Lguirati proved his good form last weekend with a T28 finish in his home event, the International Series Morocco.

Lguirati’s amateur compatriots El Mehdi Fakori and Adam Bresnu also impressed with two-under par rounds of 68, while home hope Issa Abou El Ela and playing partner Shergo Kurdi of Jordan have a great chance of making the weekend after finishing one under. Saudi amateur Faisal Salhab finished level par.

Issa said: “Competition is great, it wasn’t quite as tough as I thought it would be today. I had lots of opportunities and I capitalised on them but also had a few costly errors. The course can catch you off guard and if you are not focused it will punish you.

“But I was able to bring it back mentally and now I am in a good place to reach the top 40. Hopefully I can stay the course this weekend and be the first ever Egyptian to qualify for the weekend.”

Kurdi was delighted to see the strong Arab representation, with 20 players from nine different countries across the region in the field. He said: “I think it’s brilliant. I’m very proud of that. Also playing with Issa today was a good pair up and it’s great to see so many Arab golfers now compared to 10 years ago. We’ve grown so much in the Arab region with golf, and we have such great players. Hopefully it keeps going in that direction. It’s great to see.”

Hend, who rolled back the years with nine birdies and just the one bogey, leads Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit and Korean Seungtaek Lee by one with South African Jaco Ahlers and International Series Morocco runner-up Richard T Lee tied fourth a shot further back.