Perez takes lead with fast finish in Dubai

DUBAI: A back nine of 32 propelled Victor Perez to an opening five under par 67 and a one shot lead after the first day of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, English past champion Matthew Fitzpatrick and South Africa’s Erik Van Rooyen all posted four under par 68s to sit in second place while former Race to Dubai winners Tommy Fleetwood and Martin Kaymer, Finland’s Sami Valimaki and England’s Tyrrell Hatton posted 69s.

Frenchman Perez went out in one under and quickly picked up shots on holes 10 and 11 before further gains on 14 and 17 saw him get to five under, and he plans on maintaining an aggressive approach for the rest of the week.

“In the position I’m in, I have nothing to lose and I have everything to gain,” said Perez, who sits in sixth place in the Race to Dubai. “For me it’s a ‘go-for-it’ mentality that I have to keep for four rounds. Obviously, you still have to play proper golf and hit the right shots and sometimes take your medicine, but again, I have nothing to lose, so it’s a matter of making a lot of birdies.”

Fitzpatrick, who won this title in 2016 and has two additional top tens to his name, continued to play well around the Earth course as he made six birdies in his four under par round.

“It was a good day and I felt like I played solid all over,” said Fitzpatrick. “It’s a strange one because I got told this course was for bombers before I first came here but I’ve always found it to my liking. I think the big thing for me is the greens are always fantastic and I love putting on greens this fast.”

MacIntyre, who won his maiden title last month at the Aphrodite Hills Cyprus Showdown, continued his fine form despite a few wayward tee shots.

“I didn’t drive it great today, so I was in a bit of trouble here and there, but we took our punishment,” said MacIntyre, who began with three consecutive birdies. “When I’m in position, I’m attacking pins, and that’s what you’ve got to do — you go at it. It’s a golf course that I like.”

Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed posted a bogey free two under par 70 to sit alongside former DP World Tour Championship winners Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood among a clutch of nine players three strokes behind.