Jimenez Leads Round 1
The meeting point for the top European golfers, the Turkish Airlines Open has started in Antalya. Spanish Miguel Angel Jimenez leads the first day of the European Tour organised at Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Course in Belek with a great opening round of 9- under 63.
Jimenez (50) is the oldest player after Colin Montgomerie (51), who is playing his 600th tournament in the European Tour, to be playing in the Turkish Airlines Open. Jimenez carded nine under par scoring 63 and took the lead after holing an eagle and seven birdies on the first round. The Spaniard holed his first approach shot of the day to the 10th for eagle and followed that up with seven birdies. Jimenez stated that "To shoot nine under par on this course in only first round, it's a good start," adding "I was six under par after seven holes and playing very well, and you just try to enjoy yourself.” The spectacular performance left the 50-year-old one ahead of Ian Poulter, with rookie Tyrrell Hatton, Australian Wade Ormsby and Zimbabwe’s Brendon de Jonge on seven under par in Belek.
JIMENEZ: I FEEL COMFORTABLE PLAYING THIS COURSE
The experienced golfer explained that Montgomerie Maxx Royal’s course suited his style and added “I like golf courses with plenty of trees. I feel good around trees. The course has some long holes, short holes and you have a mix. I feel comfortable on this golf course.” Jimenez got very close to breaking the course record of 62 recorded last year at Montgomerie Maxx Royal by Raphael Jacquelin. Finishing in fifth place last year in Belek, Ian Poulter scored 64, his best round at Montgomerie Maxx Royal golf course, and is chasing Jimenez one clear. Stating he played the year’s best golf during the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open, completing with -8, Poulter mentioned the importance of Par 5 holes, adding that the secret to a good score is succeeding in these holes. Englishman Tyrell Hatton, Australian Wade Ormsby and Zimbabwean Brendon De Jonge completed the first round scoring 65. Former World No 1 Lee Westwood scored 70, Luke Donald 74, while Martin Kaymer carded 68 in the first round.
GARCIA AND DUBUISSON’S POOR PERFORMANCE
54 of the 78 golfers finished the course par and better while Victor Dubuisson, last year’s winner in Belek, and one of the favourites, Sergio Garcia, didn’t put on the show expected. Scoring -24 in total last year, Dubuisson played 77 (+5), sharing 71st place, very near to the bottom of the table. Triple bogeying on the Par 4 hole, Sergio Garcia finished with 75 (+3). Competing in the Turkish Airlines Open with a wild card, Ali Altuntaş was the one to card the best score with 79 (+7) among the other Turkish amateurs Alihan Afşar and Edix Kemaloğlu.