Turkish Airlines Open Round 1

Jaco Van Zyl stays in front with a course record

36-year-old Jaco Van Zyl from South Africa carded an opening 61 to take a three-stroke lead at the Turkish Airlines Open as The Final Series of European Tour got under way in Belek, Antalya. Jaco Van Zyl bettered the low round record of 62 by one stroke. 

The South African recorded nine birdies and an eagle with a three-stroke lead advantage over Lee Westwood from England, who scored eight birdies to stay in the second place. Englishman Chris Wood was then at six under with Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy in the group a further shot back. 

The first event of the 2015 Final Series with 78 players in the field, the Turkish Airlines Open, has started at Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Belek, Antalya. 

On a bright day in Belek, Westwood had looked like he was going to be the man to catch as he birdied the tenth and then recorded four consecutive gains from the 14th. Pars followed on 18th and first before three more gains in a row got him to eight under and a two-stroke lead before Van Zyl's spectacular finish. Playing a solid game, the South African recorded nine birdies and an eagle with a three-stroke lead at the end of the first round. Westwood was at eight under, followed by Chris Wood at six under. 

McIlroy was then in the group at five under after as he aims to finish as Europe's Number One for a third time. Birdies on the first, third, fourth and seventh followed to complete a comfortable 67 for McIlroy.

Local amateur player Ali Altuntas signed an eagle on the 13th hole and three birdies, but two double-bogeys (Hole 1 and 17) took him to 73 (+1) at the end of the day. Round 2 play of Turkish Airlines Open will start on tees 1 and at 10.45 am.