Day 1 - 4 Ball Day

Day 1 at Old Course saw Parks seize the early lead with a neat 34 points, setting the tone for a three-round thriller where a strong back nine made all the difference.

Opening Gambit: Gal Sets the Pace, But Parks Has the Last Laugh

Gal was the early speedster, charging out to a 6-point lead after just 3 holes and holding the clubhouse lead at several checkpoints through the front nine. However, Parks patiently stalked the leaderboard, clocking a tidy 87 gross score and finishing with a matching 34 points to snatch victory on countback over the last three holes—a true lesson in saving the best for last.

Back Nine Battles: Where the Real Drama Unfolded

The final nine holes clearly weren’t for the faint-hearted, as the leading total surged by 16 points from the turn to the clubhouse. That late charge proved decisive, reshuffling fortunes and underscoring the Old Course's knack for thrilling finishes. Dave’s leap from 9th to 4th also illustrated how a spirited back nine can shake up the standings.

Consistency and Chaos: Pars, Bogeys, and Double Bogs in the Mix

Gal showed remarkable steadiness with a tournament-best eight pars, while Satch seemed to have a somewhat more generous approach to the course with ten bogeys—a record that might win sympathy, if not prizes. Meanwhile, War endured a rough day, suffering 16 double-bogey-or-worse holes, proving sometimes the course fights back fiercer than expected.

Special Mentions from the Sidelines

Accuracy paid dividends with Gal pocketing £20 for Closest to the Pin at 5 metres, and Jake the Snake flexed his muscles to claim £20 for Longest Drive at 270 yards. Team 3 and Pair 5 also grabbed their share of the spoils in team and blind pairs competitions, keeping spirits and wallets bright as the trip rolls on.

Early Shape of the Event: Plenty Left to Play For

As the curtain falls on day one of three, Parks holds the singles top spot, adding £100 after the countback decision, along with a £50 prize for the singles win itself. But with two rounds still to go, the perfect 87-gross round is only the first act in this Vilamoura drama. Plenty of twists and turns await at the Old Course.