Darius Van Driel shoots 66 for 1-stroke lead at Kenya Open

NAIROBI, KENYA - FEBRUARY 22: Darius van Driel of Netherlands tees off on the 12th hole during day one of the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga Golf Club on February 22, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Stuart Franklin / Getty Images Sport / Getty

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Dutch golfer Darius Van Driel shot 5-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Kenya Open on Thursday.

The No. 366-ranked Van Driel made five birdies as well as a 10-foot putt for eagle at the par-5 10th hole at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Six players were in a share of second place, including Van Driel's countryman, Daan Huising. The others were Frederic Lacroix, Connor Syme, Tapio Pulkkanen, Ryan van Velzen and Yannick Schuetz.

Rikuya Hoshina, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 77 and the winner of the Qatar Masters two weeks ago, opened with a round of 71.

The European tour returned to Africa after five weeks in the Middle East.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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