John Catlin rediscovered his championship form just in time for one of his favorite venues, firing a five-under-par 68 to grab a share of the lead with Peter Uihlein after the opening round of the International Series Morocco at the par-73 Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat.

The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner was six-under through his first nine holes—the back nine of the course—but stumbled slightly on the front side, dropping two shots before closing with a birdie on the eighth to tie Uihlein.

Both players took advantage of the soft morning conditions, setting a target that held through the day despite gusting winds and increasingly firm greens.

Familiar ground for Catlin, firepower from Uihlein

Catlin, who lost in a playoff at the same venue in 2024 to Ben Campbell, looked right at home again. With just one top-10 finish this season, the 34-year-old American is hoping to rekindle the form that saw him lift titles in Macau and Saudi Arabia last year.

“I love the golf course,” said Catlin. “It really suits my game. You’ve got to be precise, have a good short game, and stay sharp off the tee. That’s how I like to play.”

Uihlein, a two-time International Series winner last year, leaned on his driving power, birdieing three of the four par-fives and overcoming a rocky start to finish strong. “I scrambled well early and then had a hot stretch,” he said. “The soft greens are gettable—especially if you’re driving it well.”

Chasing pack includes Antcliff, Kim, and Suwannarut

Australian Maverick Antcliff, South Korea’s Hongtaek Kim, and Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut each signed for four-under-par 69s to sit one back of the leaders. Suwannarut and Antcliff both went bogey-free, with Suwannarut holing a long bunker shot on the par-three second.

Sampson Zheng of China, arriving from a successful Open Championship qualifier, was among eight players tied at 70 after a clean card.

The International Series Morocco is the fourth of ten elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar, offering a critical pathway to the LIV Golf League. With US$2 million in prize money and valuable points on offer, every round presents a crucial opportunity for players seeking to break into the game’s top echelon.