Pakistan’s Hamza Amin set the early pace at the Asian Development Tour Rumanza Open Pakistan in Multan today, posting an early lead with a five under par 67 to open the four-round tournament.

Later joined at the top by compatriot and Pakistan’s number one golfer Ahmad Baig, and Italy’s Michele Ortolani, Amin’s early burst of birdies set him up for the clubhouse lead in the ADT’s first visit to the nation in six years.

“It was a good round, “ said Amin after posting his score in the US$85,000 ADT event. “I was very happy with my start. I think I was four under through six so that’s always good if you can do that, especially on the difficult holes. I had a few long irons in and managed to make a few birdies so it was a good start and happy with the round,” he added.

Amin who has represented both Austria and Pakistan at international level, displayed an early mastery of the challenging Rumanza Golf & Country Club course, posting six birdies and just one dropped shot after starting on the back nine.

“It’s a long course, a tough course,” he explained. “It was a bit windy out there and if you dont have the length then you are going to struggle, but otherwise i was just happy to hit a lot of greens. Sometimes you have to fire away from the flag, take your par and then move on to the next hole,” he added.

“There were a few questionable pins but when you are playing well and you are putting well, then it kind of doesn’t matter but there were a few suspect pins out there for sure,” he said.

“Today was a solid round , bogey free,” said Ortolani following his round. “I was really happy because the weather was a little so-so, it started to rain and it was windy so I’m really proud of the way i handled myself out there. I was patient, it was very very solid and im really happy,” he added.

Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig pictured in action at the ADT Rumanza Open Pakistan. The US$85,000 tournament is being held at the Rumanza Golf & Country Club in Pakistan from February 19-22, 2025. Picture courtesy Rumanza Pakistan Open.

“Rumanza is a fantastic golf course,” he said. “It’s really nice to come here and play. The setup was really long especially because of the wind, it was soft, some tucked pin positions so I was pleasantly surprised by this golf course and I’m really happy to play here.

“I’d love to stay with the same plan for the four days, that would be really nice,” he said. “I want just to keep the focus that i had today. I was really calm and very in the moment so I want to do the same thing for the next rounds.”

Baig, who won twice on the ADT last season, was hoping for the solo lead but fell short at the final hole.

“It was a great round,” he said after signing his card. “At five under par I’m happy with my score. I was at six under though I did bogey the last hole, but I’m happy,” he added.

“It’s good to see Hamza as the name there on the top, he’s my very good friend and we are both ambassadors of Rumanza Golf Club, so its good to see so many top names playing this week,” he said.

Eric Jonasson of Sweden and Malaysia’s Khavish Varadan shared fourth place after posting scores of 68, Varadan birdied seven holes but dropped three shots in his opening nine.

In sixth position, starting on the back nine, Gianmarco Federici opened well with a hole-out eagle on his first hole, adding four birdies and three bogeys to finish on 69. He is joined by Austria’s Niklas Regner, Muhammad Shabir of Pakistan, Nobuhiko Wakaari of Japan and Argentina’s Miguel Carballo.

In 11th place, on two under par, lie El Mehdi Fakori of Morocco, Scotland’s Eric McIntosh, Malaysia’s Galven Green, Grant Godfrey of the USA and Korea’s Minwook Gwon.

With all players finishing their round today, the action contiues with the second roudn tomorrow, with play scheduled to start at 7.30am off two tees. The afternoon wave will get underway at 11.45am.

Main picture: Pakistan’s Hamza Amin pictured in action at the ADT Rumanza Open Pakistan. The US$85,000 tournament is being held at the Rumanza Golf & Country Club in Pakistan from February 19-22, 2025. Picture courtesy Rumanza Pakistan Open.