Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson was up bright and early to complete his weather-delayed first round at the Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Friday and propelled himself into a tie of first place after birdieing four of his remaining eight holes.

Stenson is in a three-way share of the lead at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Belek alongside Darren Fichardt and Thomas Bjørn on eight under par.

Steve Webster is one shot behind in fourth, while eight players – George Coetzee, Paul Casey, Thorbjørn Olesen, Maximilian Kieffer, Ricardo Gonzalez, Ian Poulter, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Justin Walters – are tied fifth on six under.

Poulter, who can overtake Stenson with a top-two finish this week, added three birdies to his overnight score. The Englishman has a bet with the Swede that he will catch him, with the latter offering odds of 10-1 on a $100 wager.

Stenson was good spirits after his round when asked about the challenge of Poulter. “I kind of knew he was playing all right because he had the white towel around his arm showing me how I’m going to be looking when I’m pouring his drink,” said the FedEx Cup winner. “So I’m trying my best to keep him behind me.”

Fichardt, meanwhile, was thrilled with his opening round of 64. “Obviously it’s a great start,” said the South African. “This golf course seems to suit my eye so we’ll see what happens. There’s variety. It’s not a monstrous golf course where you have to hit killer drive off the tee and a three‑wood in for your second. It’s a very good layout. Sometimes you hit iron off the tee, and other times, driver, three‑wood, you know, it’s a very nice, playable golf course.”

Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood carded two-under 70s. Colin Montgomerie, course designer at this week’s Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was level par.

Source : Lokesh Shastri