Patience was the key for David Law as he was rewarded with a profitable late plunder on day one of the Challenge Tour Grand Final at Ras Al Khaimah.

The former Scottish Amateur champion, who has a place on next year’s European Tour in his grasp, picked up three birdies over his last five holes in a three-under 69 to sit in a share of seventh, three behind the early pacesetters, Niklas Lemke and Adri Arnaus.

Law, who sits 12th on the rankings with the top 15 after this weekend’s finale earning promotion to the main circuit, played the waiting game and his telling thrust cemented his strong position on the order of merit.

“I was pretty steady for the first 11 holes but wasn’t making many chances,” he said. “But then I had a nice birdie on 14, holed a 30 footer across the slope on 16 and then had another birdie on 17. It was a good finish and says a lot about patience. That’s a good lesson for the week.

“You can’t hide from what’s going on in the rankings. It’s the same with leaderboards. You need to know what’s going on. I’m happy knowing what the script is and what I need to do.”

Liam Johnston, who is already assured of his tour place next season, also opened with a 69 while Calum Hill and Ewen Ferguson, who are outside the top 15, posted 70s.

Robert MacIntyre and Grant Forrest, the two other Scots currently sitting in the promotion places, began their final event of the campaign with one-under 71s.