Italy's Andrea Rota leads inaugural Red Sea Ain Bay Open

Italy’s Andrea Rota, fired 66 to lead by one after first round of 2013 Red Sea Ain Bay Open. Scot Michael Stewart, 2011 Walker Cup team mate, and one of the best ever world ranked Scottish amateur, shot 67. Italy’s Lorenzo Guanti and France’s Edouard Espana signed for 68 to keep in touch with the top of the leaderboard.

Alps Tour season started this morning with first of the two inaugural events in Egypt. Guaranteed disorientation for most of the players who have come for the first time to this part of the world. No less than 11 nationalities and 78 players teed off to try to grab the first title of the season.

Rota is not a spring chicken any more on the Alps Tour but still seeking for maiden win. The 27 year old player has finished last season in great shape as he made the cut during the Final Stage of European Tour Q school to earn his right to play on Challenge Tour in 2013. His best results was 3rd place at Alps de Andalucia last June.

The best Egyptian player is 50th tie with first round 75, 4 over par. Ayman Mahmoud is only 2 shots back of the projected cut after one round. He could write a chapter of the Alps Tour becoming the first Egyptian ever to make the cut.

Great names are expected to challenge the leaders. Some Challenge Tour players took advantage free weeks to come and play in Egypt such as England’s Jason Palmer or Scotland’s Ross Kellett. Talented former Team World Cup player Italy’s Andrea Maestroni is one of those as well. Maestroni won the Alps Tour ranking in 2004 and played full season on European Tour in 2005.

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By Agathe Séron