Defending champion Des Smyth took a share of the lead on day one of the Arcapita Seniors Tour Championship in Bahrain after playing half of his round on his own, following the withdrawal of playing partners Sam Torrance and Carl Mason through injury.

Englishman Mason lasted just two holes before a back problem forced him off the course at Riffa Views, while European Seniors Tour Order of Merit winner Torrance quit after nine due to a swollen index finger.

This meant that the feature group on day one of the final event of the European Seniors Tour season, comprised Smyth and a marker in the shape of Colin Ferguson, the Scottish-born professional at Riffa Views.

"It was incredible - that's never happened to me before," commented the Irishman, who birdied the last hole for a three under par 69 and a share of the lead with Adan Sowa of Argentina.

"It was looking like it would be a really lonely round but then the local pro joined me and we had a nice chit-chat. As it turned out I ended up thanking him as I pulled things around on the back nine."

Smyth made his score with three birdies over the closing five holes to move two clear of three players sharing second place - John Bland of South Africa, Martin Gray of Scotland and Northern Ireland's Jimmy Heggarty, who all returned 71s in difficult windy conditions.