MANILA: Khalid Attieh tossed a bomb at the Link Hong Kong Open on Thursday, after a quiet display last week in the International Series Philippines.
The young Saudi shot a rare albatross in the first round of the tournament, as he etched his name into the Asian Tour history books.
The shot for the ages was only the second this season and 30th in Tour history, according to the Asian Tour website.
The 31-year old, whose prodigious length off the tee could give established Asian Tour stars a run for their money, achieved the feat on the 529-yard par-5 13th, when his second shot with a 6-iron found the bottom of the cup.
Still trying to get to grips with elite competition — though he and fellow Saudi Faisal Salhab have made a number of cuts — Attieh shot a 1-under-par 69 on the first day, nine shots behind LIV Golf star Tom McKibbin, who headed the field after carding a new course record 10-under at the Hong Kong Golf Cub.
Attieh hit three birdies and two bogeys for a 33 going out. After a bogey on the 12th, he hit the albatross on the 13th and despite further bogeys at the 15th and 18th got home in a level 36.
He finished in a group of 16 players that included Graeme McDowell, who won the 2020 European Tour-sanctioned Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf Club. Salhab finished with a 5-over 75.
Elsewhere in the field, LIV Golf players Josele Ballester and Charles Howell hit a bogey-free 6-under 64 and a 4-under 66, respectively, to remain in contention heading into round 2.
