Good scores at Montgomerie Maxx Royal

Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism started at Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Course in Belek, Antalya. After three hours delay due to heavy rain, players were on the course and the first round produced high scores while some of the golfers couldn’t complete the game when darkness descended on Antalya.

Race To Dubai leader Henrik Stenson was among those who made good use of soft conditions during a shortened first day of the Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Course in Belek, Antalya. Due to a delay because of the hard weather, tee off was at 12.05 by the local time. Stenson much like the rest of the field, was unable to complete his opening round after play was delayed significantly by an overnight storm. Yet the Swede would have been satisfied with his position when darkness descended on Antalya, he was three shots a drift of those bunched at the leaderboard.
Full interest of the golf lovers to the tournament, mostly following the group Tiger Woods was playing with Stenson and Justin Rose. The European Tour season final a week away, it was the battle between Stenson and Rose that was garnering the attentions of those in attendance. Rose, already three shots worse off, he will begin tomorrow. Capping off that group was World Number One Tiger Woods. However, the 14 time Major winner was off-colour and needed to scramble his way to one under.

Historic moment by Hamza Sayın
In the first European Tour event staged in Turkey which is the third leg of the Final Series, local golfer Hamza Sayın also competed. He was the first Turkish golfer to play on the Tour, President of the Turkish Golf Federation Ahmet Ağaoğlu congratulated Sayın after the game. Two amateur golfers from Turkey, Ediz Kemaloğlu left the course on the 13th hole by par while Ali Altuntaş on the 11th hole by +2. The US$ 7 million prize tournament end on Sunday with the final round.