The Dubai-based Swiss amateur shot a one-over par 73 in the opening round of the 72-hole finale at Suvarnabhumi Golf & Country Club for a share of 178^th place among the 222 starters.

American William Cannon (pictured above) and Australian Todd Sinnot shared the overnight lead after impressive eight under 64s. Eight players shot 65s while Australian left-hander Richard Green, whose three European Tour wins include the 1997 Dubai Desert Classic, was among eight players at -6 in a share of 11^th place.

Two-time MENA Tour winner Luke Joy battled his putter and finished with a bogey but still signed for an encouraging 70 to be T91 at -2, while fellow Englishman and reigning MENA Tour order-of-merit champion Craig Hinton carded an even par 72.

The top 35 and ties earn Asian Tour cards for 2017 but Harradine and co must first make the 36-hole cut, set at 80 players and ties. There were 90 players at -3 or better after the opening round Wednesday which means the 33-year-old Swiss needs a birdie fest Thursday to keep his pro dream alive.

Starting on the 10^th, Harradine started his fifth attempt at Asian Tour qualifying with a bogey before dropping to three over with a double on 13. The Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club member fought back with birdies on the 1^st and 6^th and will draw positives from the first stage of qualifying on a different course at the same club where he finished -22.

“I’m obviously pretty disappointed,” said Harradine. “Basically from tee to green I hit it quite well. I only hit two bad drives which weren’t that much off line but both managed to get me into a lot of trouble.

“Unfortunately the putter was very, very cold today. A complete contrast to last week. I didn’t hole one putt outside 10 feet. Nothing wanted to go in.”

Luke Joy in action during the 2015 Asian Tour School – Getty Images

Joy, who has reached the final stage of qualifying for the third time, this year via a MENA Tour exemption, was frustrated with his flat stick early and a wet bogey late but still sleep soundly on his 70.

“I played really nicely today but didn’t hole my fair share of putts. Lots of lip outs on the front nine and then very solid on the back but unfortunately found the water with my second on the par 5 last,” Joy told Golf Digest Middle East.

“That led to a six unfortunately but the game is feeling good, it just feels like a little bit of first day back at the office. The course is wet and playing rather soft.”

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An impressive final round 67 Saturday saw the 33-year-old Dubai-based Swiss amateur finish in a three-way tie for first place in the section B qualifier at Suvarnabhumi Golf & Country Club.

Harradine must now finish amidst the top-35 players and ties in the final stage from January 11-14 to earn a coveted Asian Tour card for 2017.

Critically for the Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club member, the final tournament, another pressure-packed 72-holer beginning Wednesday, is being staged at Suvarnabhumi where he rattled off rounds of 66-64-70-67 to finish -22 and equal top from a field of 121.

Matching Harradine on 266 at Suvarnabhum (where the top 26 and ties advanced) were Janne Kaske (Finland), who closed with a six-under 64, and American Sejun Yoon.

In the other section B qualifier at Windsor Park and Golf Club, Korean Songgyu Yoo topped the 25 qualifiers with a -20 total of 268 following a closing 64.

Harradine was one of just two amateurs to advance from the section B qualifiers. The other was Indian Arhun Prasad who finished T7 at Windsor on 277.

The Asia Tour’s first event of 2017, the SMBC Singapore Open, begins January 19 at Sentosa Golf Club.

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