The 2014 Mercedes-Benz International Pro-Am got underway with a solid performance from one of the Czech Republic’s best exports, Filip Mruzek, after carding a three-under par 68 to lead by one.

The Czech PGA Professional started his campaign on the back nine of Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club, UAE, in a fairly subdued but consistent manner, making the turn with eight regulation pars and a single bogey. But it was his back-nine that set things alight with a birdie on the course’s first hole and then three more in the closing four holes of his round, to finish three under.

But only one shot behind is PGA of Great Britain & Ireland Professional, Darren Bragg, whose one over front nine was countered with a three-under back-nine.

In tie-third place are Ian Talyor (PGA of Great Britain & Ireland) and Georg Schultes (PGA of Austria), both of whom had up and down rounds, notably with a one-under second nine for Taylor, and four-hole birdie run for Schultes from holes 13 to 16.

Three players – Andrej Kraljic (PGA of Slovenia), Simon Payne (PGA of Australia), and Mark Reynolds (PGA of Holland) – lie at tie-fifth for the tournament with two rounds remaining.

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For more information on the Confederation of Professional Golf visit the Tournament Hub Page, follow @PGAsofEurope on Twitter search the Hashtag ‘#MercIntProAm’, or like the Confederation of Professional Golf Facebook Page.

To find out more about Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club visit www.aesgc.ae.