After missing the cut in his previous two appearances in Saudi Arabia, David Horsey is leading the way at the Saudi International.
The 35-year-old Englishman was on 59 watch after beginning the event on a roll. He began his round with two birdies and then went on a roll after the turn. He began the back nine with five straight birdies, adding two more on 16 and 17 to sign for a 61 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
“It’s a shock, actually,” Horsey said, according to the European Tour. “I’ve been playing rubbish the last couple of weeks. Didn’t feel like I controlled my ball the first two events.
“Had a conversation with a pal back home last night, talking a few things through and suggested something that I work on away from the tournament. I thought, well, can’t get any worse, so I may as well try it and here we are.”
Horsey missed the cut in his last two events, a T-67 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and a T-89 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
One shot behind Horsey is Stephen Gallacher who birdied five of his last six holes take solo second after Round 1. Bernd Wiesberger shot a bogey-free 64 to claim third. Five golfers including Bryson DeChambeau sit T-4 at 5 under. The reigning U.S. Open winner began his round with a bogey on 11 but rattled off three birdies in four holes to complete his first nine. He added four more birdies on the front nine to finish 5-under 65.
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and 13 others including Lee Westwood and Tyrell Hatton sit T-17 is at 3 under.
