Suneson leads Egyptian Open with seven-under-par 65

Spain’s Carl Suneson leads the Egyptian Open field into the second round following a flawless seven-under-par 65 at J W Marriott Mirage City Golf Club in Cairo today.
The 42-year-old Spaniard found the benign conditions to his liking posting a blemish free round including five birdies and an eagle to put him one clear of nearest challengers Kyron Sullivan, Calle Carlsson and Julien Grillon.
“It’s been a very good day – we’re playing in warm weather, with no wind and great greens,” said Suneson. “The big difference to my game today was my putter. I’ve had a few ups and downs this season, missing cuts by just the odd shot thanks mainly to the putter letting me down. But overall I’ve played well throughout the year and seven under is a good score in any event.”
Suneson, ranked 46th on the European Challenge Tour and who won his first European Tour title at the 256th attempt just two years ago, admitted that while the Egyptian Open is not yet part of the Challenge Tour the pressure to play well is the same as at any other event.
“There may be a lot more pressure when you’re trying to get into finals or qualify for major tournaments but we’re professional players and at the end of the day we all want to win.”
Suneson 2
Born in Gran Canaria after his Swedish father, Gunnar, and English mother, Pauline, decided to escape the harsh northern European winters to seek sunnier climes, Suneson took Spanish citizenship several years ago.
And as if to emphasise his own love of the warm weather, Suneson reveled in the conditions at the JW Marriott Mirage City Course in an event sponsored by Citadel Capital, Drexel, Palm Hills, SODIC, BMi, Mercedes, AAIB and the Egyptian Tourism Authority.
Suneson’s round saw him in the clubhouse one stroke ahead of Welshman Sullivan and France’s Grillon who both posted a six-under-par 66. Tied with them is locally based Swede Carlsson, twice a winner of the Egyptian Open and Egypt’s Pro Player of the Year for the past three years.
“I’m very excited about this tournament, “said the 34 year-old from Orebro, who is also playing a key role in the staging of the event. “I want to play well but the most important thing for me is the success of the golf tournament itself.”
Hovering just behind the leaders, European Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie finished his round with a flourish – a birdie on the last securing a three-under-par 69 to leave him in a tie for eighth place. “It’s always nice to finish with a birdie and I think 69 is a fair return for the day,” said the Scot.
“A bad drive on eleven and a three-putt on the thirteenth cost me two shots but overall it’s OK - it gives me a chance.”
Of the Middle East players, UAE-based Scot Ross Bain shot a two-under-par 70 to lie tied for 16th, Simon Dunn, another exiled Scot, posted a one-under par 71 to hold joint 27th.
Defending champion Amr Abou El Ela of Egypt shot a disappointing 81.
LEADERBOARD
Par 72
65 C Suneson (Spa).
66 K Sullivan (Wal), C Carlsson (Swe), J Grillon (Fra).
67 A Marshall (Eng).
68 T Olesen (Den).
69 C Montgomerie, S Surry (Eng), P Golding (En), S Tiley (Engt), C Rodiles (Spa), T Feyrsinger (Aut), A Bossert (Swi), J Moul (Eng).
70 S Jamieson (Sco), R Bain (Sco), G Murray (Sco), C Gunther (Ger), M Mills (Eng), J Van Zyul (SAf), L Westerberg (Swe), C Smith (Wal), P Del Grosso (Arg), R Kilpatrick (NIr), J-A Larsen (Nor).
71 D Griffiths (Eng), I Keenan (Eng), S Dunn (Sco), D Marmion (Eng).
Other Scots score:
76 S Burton (Sco).
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