Dubai, UAE …. The severe toughening of the Emirates Course, and as reported yesterday by www.golfbytourmiss.com produced a dramatic 30-year old change in the first-round scoring.
Just 29 players managed to break par and the lowest number since 25 broke par on day one in the 1990 event, and the then third staging of the tournament.
This is in huge contrast to a year ago when 74 players were under par on day one while there was 104 under par after the first 18 holes in 2018 and that was one shy of the first round all-time low of 105 players who were better than par in the 2001 hosting of the event.
JUST HOW TOUGH 1ST ROUND 2020 @OmegaDDC ..
It’s the LOWEST number @EuropeanTour🏌️♂️🏌️♂️in 3⃣0⃣-years to be under par day one @EmiratesGC 😟
2020 – 2⃣9⃣
2019 – 7⃣4⃣
2018 – 1⃣0⃣4⃣
2015 – 8⃣0⃣
2010 – 3⃣1⃣
2005 – 5⃣4⃣
2000 – 7⃣2⃣
1995 – 7⃣2⃣
1990 – 2⃣5⃣
1989 – 2⃣6⃣ (Inaugural event) pic.twitter.com/gbnQG5T7fM— Golf & Science🍋⛳️ (@TOURMISS) January 23, 2020
Defending Dubai champ, Bryson DeChambeau won a year ago with a record-setting 24-under par total but after the ‘toughening’ of the course he’s predicted after his opening 71 that the course will play four shots a round tougher.
He said: “If the conditions stay the same, I would say the course is going to play four shots tougher each of the four days compared to a year ago.
“I felt like that even par last year was for me around three to four-under and today I felt like I shot four or five under though it was only two-under.
