Gary Orr puts back problems behind him as Scot storms into lead in the Seychelles

Gary Orr the first round leader at the 2019 MCB Tour Championship at Seychelle’s Constance Lemuria
Scotland’s Surrey-based Staysure Tour pro Gary Orr scorched his way to six-under par in the first round of the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles at Constance Lemuria, despite not having played for several weeks because of back problems. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

GARY Orr recorded a six-under par opening round of 64 to dominate the first day at the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles.

The Surrey-based Scotsman stormed to the top of the leaderboard at Constance Lemuria following a bogey-free front nine which saw him pick up six shots.

The Weybridge pro then traded two more birdies with two bogeys on the back nine to lead by four strokes at the European Tour Destinations venue.

Orr, who won back-to-back Staysure Tour events at the Scottish Senior Open and Paris Legends Championship last year, displayed the type of golf that saw him clinch his first titles in 18 years.

He opened his round with five consecutive threes, including birdies at the first, third and fourth holes.

The momentum continued with further gains at the par five fifth before he reached the turn in 28 strokes after picking up shots on the eighth and ninth holes.

“I’m happy with that round,” said Orr, who is attached to his native Helensburgh GC, on Clydside. “I played well, and it puts me in a good position for the next couple of days.

“I wasn’t expecting much going out and I didn’t know what to expect because I haven’t played for a few months. So to start with five threes was a good start.

“It’s that type of course where you need to play well on the front nine as the difficult holes are from 13 to 18.

“They are tricky holes but there are a few tough holes on the front nine as well. If you can get through those difficult ones first, then you can pick up a few birdies on the others.

“The hilly holes, the last six, they are certainly a challenge. A couple of the greens are really difficult, and you need to hit it in the right spots and hope luck is on your side.

“I didn’t drive it that well, which was fortunate because there aren’t many holes where you have to use the driver. I hit my irons really well and putted nicely, which all added up to a good round.

“The view is unbelievable. It’s quite something up on top of the hill and there aren’t many views on a golf course like that anywhere,” added Orr, who echoed the comments of defending champion Roger Champion, after the practice rounds.

As one of the few competitors to play in trousers in the scorching Seychelles heat, the conditions showed no sign of troubling Orr, who was attached to Burhill Golf Club, in Surrey, duirng his 20 years on the European Tour.

And he bounced back from two dropped shots with gains on the par three 15th and 17th.

Having not played for a couple of months due to back pain, Orr was delighted to take the lead at the picturesque Constance Lemuria.

Orr holds a four-shot lead over a group of four players, including Wales’ Stephen Dodd, South Africa’s David Frost, Argentine Rafael Gomez and Sweden’s Joakim Haeggman, who all signed for rounds of 68 to sit on two-under.

The rest of the top 10 is made up of five players on one-under, including Welshman Mark Mouland, who made his 100th start on the Staysure Tour on Thursday.

The second round of the MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles begins at 9am local time on Friday with Gary Orr teeing it up at 11.45am – the Indian Ocean island is four hours ahead of GMT.

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