Krystle Caithness one behind Becky Brewerton in Dubai

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
DUBAI — Becky Brewerton shot a bogey-free 68 to seize the early initiative in the first Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation pro-am which got under way at Emirates Golf Club’s Faldo course today.
The 27-year-old from Wales rolled in four birdies, two in each half, to move one shot clear of the chasing pack which included Jenni Kuosa (Finland), Sophie Walker (England) and Scotland's Krystle Caithness.
Brewerton, playing for the first time at the Faldo course, couldn’t have asked for a better start to her opening round. Starting from the 10th tee, she birdied the first two holes and kept the momentum rolling, picking up one shot each on the third and the seventh hole to round off the day with a sense of satisfaction.
“I knew nothing about the course, but those birdies on the first two first holes made the difference. I felt very comfortable after that and I must thank my playing partner (Philip Adams) for chipping in with his local knowledge when I needed most,” said Brewerton, who, at present, is placed third on the European Money list behind Sophie Gustafson and Catriona Matthew.
“Of course, I would like to win the European Player of the Year award, but things aren’t in my hands. A lot will depend upon how other players fare during the season-ending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters next week.
“At the moment, I am striking the ball well and feel quite confident about my game. I just tried to play one shot at a time today and it worked. The (Faldo) course is in great shape and it’s fun to play some of the holes where the water is cutting in.
“The weather is good, and the course is fine. You couldn’t have asked for better preparations in the run up to the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters,” said Brewerton, who won the Open de Espana Femenino in July this year besides posting nine top-10 finishes on the Ladies European Tour.
Among the notables, defending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters champion Anja Monke settled for one-under-par 71 while Russian pin up Maria Verchenova shot a 73.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Coakley of Ireland and her playing partner Aly Rahimtoola (handicap 11) won the day’s pro-am honours with a net 61. The team of Julie Greciet (France) and Kelly Liu (6) finished second on a net 62, beating the Anja Monke-Stathis Stathis team (10) on a count back.
The prizes were presented by Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi— the promoters and organisers of the Euro 500,000 Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
Leading scores after the first round:
68 Becky Brewerton (Wales).
69 Jenni Kuosa (Finland), Sophie Walker (England), Krystle Caithness (Scotland).
70 Rebecca Coakley (Ireland), Holly Aitchison (England).
71 Veronica Zorzi (Italy), Anja Monke (Germany), Carmen Alonso (Spain), Florentyna Parker (England).
72 Lotta Wahlin (Sweden)
Daily Pro Am prizes:
1 Rebecca Coakley (Ireland) and Aly Rahimtoola net 61.
2 Julie Greciet (France) and Kelly Liu net 62 (countback).
3 Anja Monke (Germany) and Stathis Stathis net 62