Asian Tour: Matteo Manassero makes early running at Saudi International, as Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho stumbles late on
- ‘I’ve got a couple of things to sharpen up, but it was kind of nice to feel some nerves again,’ Hong Kong amateur Kho says
- Manassero’s bogey-free 8-under par 62 hints at better time times ahead for one-time teenage prodigy of the European Tour
Matteo Manassero rolled back the years to set the early pace at the PIF Saudi International on Thursday, while Hong Kong amateur Taichi Kho stumbled at the end of his first round at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
A one-time teenage prodigy of the European Tour, Manassero has struggled in recent years, but his bogey-free 8-under par 62 hints at better time times ahead.
The Italian covered the front nine in 29 after making six birdies, and picked up more shots at 11 and 12, leaving him three clear of defending champion Dustin Johnson.
Kho dropped three shots in his last two holes to finish the day 2-over and in a tie for 82nd. He was at least in good company alongside former major winner Jason Dufner, and only a shot back from Englishman Lee Westwood.
A group of five players, including Bubba Watson and Harold Varner III, sit in second in a tie for second after carding 6-under 64s, while Patrick Reed was in a group in on 4-under and Xander Schauffele a further stroke back.
