Stenson shares new record at Turkish Open

Swede leads first round jointly with Fichardt, Bjorn.

BELEK: Current European number one Henrik Stenson helped himself to a share of a new course record with a 64 as the storm-affected first round of the Turkish Open was completed on Friday.

Stenson, along with playing partners Tiger Woods and Justin Rose, was among 63 players in the elite 78-player event who returned to the Maxx Royal course to recommence their round after Thursday was hit by a three-hour delay.

The Swede was staring at a 3-wood second shot into the par five 11th green before minutes later walking off with a birdie en route to an eight-under-par 64 which saw him join South African Darren Fichardt and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn in a share of the course record.

“After some good playing yesterday [Thursday] I was in a good position and I just carried on today making a couple of nice birdies coming in,” said Stenson. “So I am very happy with my score, but then I am taking it one shot at a time as my right wrist is still not in great shape.”

Stenson arrived in Turkey leading nearest Race to Dubai rival Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, who has elected not to contest this week’s lucrative event.

Reigning US Open champion Justin Rose is lying third on the money list, with Ian Poulter fourth, and a win for Stenson will leave him well placed to end the season as European Tour number one.

Woods restarted his round 15 hours after he left the course staring at a 20-yard chip shot over a bunker, but ran out of luck when he found a water hazard with his second shot at the 18th to eventually take a bogey in a two-under-par 70.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2013.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.