Sell still searching for top form (From Swindon Advertiser)

Sell still searching for top form

6:00am Friday 15th February 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne

MARTIN Sell admits he has still not fully blown away the cobwebs after carding a two-over-par round of 73 at the Kenya Open yesterday.

The Swindonian began his first full season on the Challenge Tour with a 73 at Karen Country Club, a score that left him tied for 65th and seven shots off the lead held by HP Bacher.

Starting at the 10th, the Wrag Barn pro bogeyed 14 and 17 before picking up a shot on the 18th with a birdie four.

Another birdie four followed at the second but bogeys at six and eight saw the former New College pupil finish over-par.

“I’m a little disappointed with plus-two,” he said.

“I played OK but made a couple of silly errors and one or two poor swings which I put down to early-season rustiness.

“I left a lot of mid-range birdie chances short as the greens look a lot faster than they actually are.

“I felt I should have kept it to level-par really, but a poor swing into the sixth and a missed short-ish putt on the eighth cost me.”

Nevertheless, Sell is upbeat heading into today’s second round, which he will begin at 10.20am GMT (1.20pm local time).

“I'm still confident going into Friday,” he said.

“I'm not playing too badly at all so if I can take a few of my opportunities and actually reach the hole with my birdie putts, I'm confident of shooting a decent number.

“The course is good and very fair, it's paramount to find the fairway this week as the greens are small and the rough is thick.”