Alps Tour — David Carey made six birdies in a five-under 67 to lie just three shots off the lead after the opening round of the Alps Tour’s Ein Bay Open in Egypt.

The Dubliner is tied for fifth at Sokhna Golf Club on the north shores of the Red Sea behind Spain’s Angel Hidalgo Portillo and defending champion Lars Keunen of the Netherlands, who shot eight-under 64s to lead by one stroke from Italian Cristiano Terragni with Frenchman Frank Medale in fourth place after a six-under 66.

Naas’ Jonathan Yates was 33rd after a two-under 70 on a day when 56 players broke par. Simon Bryan was 57th after a 72

Scores

“I had a good day today, I’ve tried to keep the ball in play from the tee, as you have plenty of waste areas on this course, and my wedges worked pretty good, as well as the putting”, Keunen said.

“The course is in great shape, the weather is a lot warmer than it was last year in February but it’s doable, just drink a lot of water and you should be fine. I guess it is a course that suits my game, seeing what happened last time! Today I got lots of chances and I took them”.

Portillo, 23, had four birdies on the back nine and five birdies and one bogey on the front.

“My drives were not the best part of my game today, I’ve been a little inconsistent, but on the contrary my irons were good and especially my putting was really solid,” he said. “The greens are quite difficult because of the kind of grass, but I have managed to read them well.

“It’s the first time I play so well this course actually, in my previous tournaments here I had missed the cut twice so I am really happy that I’ve started so well this time and I really hope that the rest of the week will be as successful!”.