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In the vibrant setting of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, English golfer Marcus Armitage excelled during the opening round of the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the European tour, delivering an impressive performance. Armitage recorded a remarkable score of 9-under 63, making an astounding 11 birdies throughout his round, which positioned him four strokes ahead in the clubhouse as he concluded his first 18 holes.

The first round faced a temporary halt, with eight competitors still on the course, yet to finish their own rounds. Notably, Armitage, who is currently ranked No. 324, had participated in the Dubai Desert Classic the previous week where he finished in a tie for 31st place, marking his initial tournament outing of 2025.

Reflecting on his successful day, the 37-year-old golfer mentioned, “It just shows that a bit of time off can really help. Resting the mind allows me to return fresh and give my best effort.” Armitage, who boasts one victory on the tour—the 2021 European Open—expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “You know, I’ve still got the game.” He elaborated, praising his putting game by saying, “The putter was on fire. Everything I looked at I was thinking about holing. It was one of those days when I was completely zoned in, and the putts were simply going in.”

Following Armitage’s lead, three players—Ivan Cantero from Spain, Alexander Bjork from Sweden, and Jack Senior from England—managed to tie for second place, each finishing the round with a score of 67 at the scenic Al Hamra Golf Club.

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