The MENA Golf Tour’s Rolear Algarve Classic commenced with spectacular drama as Scotland’s Aidan O’Hagan, England’s Chris Wood, and Italy’s Aron Zemmer each carded flawless seven-under-par 65s to establish a commanding three-way lead. The opening round at Portugal’s Amendoeira Golf Resort witnessed a masterclass in precision golf, headlined by O’Hagan’s stunning hole-in-one at the 181-yard par-3 sixth hole.
O’Hagan’s remarkable ace served as the centerpiece of an otherwise blemish-free performance that demonstrated both technical mastery and mental fortitude. The Scottish golfer described the perfect eight-iron shot that landed beyond the pin before spinning back into the cup, noting how the achievement immediately boosted his confidence. His front-nine 31 included the spectacular ace and a birdie at the fifth, while his back-nine navigation featured an impressive recovery from a bogey on the 13th with consecutive birdies and an eagle across three holes.
Joining O’Hagan atop the leaderboard, three-time DP World Tour winner Chris Wood displayed renewed competitive sharpness with a bogey-free round that began with three consecutive birdies. The Englishman, recently successful at Q School, expressed satisfaction with returning to form after early-season difficulties, emphasizing the importance of becoming accustomed to shooting lower scores consistently.
Completing the leading trio, Aron Zemmer delivered a similarly impressive performance with his own mistake-free 65. The Italian’s round gained momentum on the back nine where he recorded six birdies, including four consecutive from the 10th hole, showcasing exceptional putting precision and strategic course management.
The tournament’s $100,000 purse, featuring an $18,000 winner’s share, remains fiercely contested with defending champion Ludovico Addabbo staging a notable back-nine recovery to finish at even-par 72 after initially struggling. UAE professional Ahmad Skaik, in only his second professional appearance, carded a two-over 74 as he continues his transition into the professional ranks.
With 36 holes remaining and the leaderboard tightly compressed, Wednesday’s second round promises to significantly shape the championship outcome as competitors adapt to the O’Connor Course’s challenging layout and variable conditions.