Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez again upstaged his much younger rivals grabbing an eagle and seven birdies in a nine under par 63 to lead the first round of the Turkish Airlines Open.
The 50-year old Jimenez had just 23 putts in ideal scoring conditions on the Montgomerie Maxx Royal Course in Belek.
Jimenez’s effort was also just a shot shy of the course record and with the pony-tailed golfer ending the opening day of the $US 7m event one shot clear of England’s Ian Poulter.
Three players – Australia’s Wade Ormsby, England’s Tyrrell Hatton and South African Brendon De Jonge – share third place on seven under par.
Miguel Angel Jimenez continues to upstage his younger rivals posting a 63 on the first day of the Turkish Airlines Open. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
Last December Jimenez broke his own ‘oldest winner’ European Tour record in successfully defending his Hong Kong Open title at age 49 years and 337 days.
And now in his 642nd Tour event Jimenez could break that record for a third time.
“To shoot nine‐under par on this course in only first round, it’s a good start,” he said.
“I was six under par after seven holes and playing very well, and you just try to enjoy yourself, and it’s the way to shoot very low, still exciting and I managed to do that.”
“But then I like this golf course with all the trees on it. It feels nice and you have everything, you have some long holes, you have some short holes and you have a mix. So I feel comfortable on this golf course.
“So this is a special round because I’ve been struggling a little bit the last few months but when you shoot under par, you feel very good.”
Ian Poulter back using the putter that saw him finish third in the 2013 Open Championship. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
Poulter, using a putter that he last used to finish third in the 2013 British Open, was just as thrilled with his effort after having struggled in recent weeks.
However after a strong share of sixth place in last week’s WGC – HSBC Champions event, and getting used to new clubs for a first time in seven years, Poulter’s feeling a lot happier about his game after day one of the Turkish Airlines Open.
“I decided to switch back to my old putter late last week that has a softer insert and it felt really good on these quick greens,” he said.
“And it was kind of funny, as I holed a 40‑footer for eagle on the first par 5 that was my fourth hole of the round, and just start laughing. Then on the second par 5, start laughing to my caddy. He says, “Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it.”
“So the old putter is back in the bag. I also started to hit some good shots and I started to roll the putts in that I would expect to hole, and then it adds up to 8‑under par.”
And Poulter is equally delighted with a switch to new clubs for a first occasion in seven years.
“I’m really happy as the new driver is working exceptionally well, so I’ve got a lot of confidence with that,” he said.
“The 3‑wood that I put in play at The Ryder Cup is also working very well, and that means I can attack the par 5s. The 3‑hybrid for me flies a bit longer, so I’m carrying that 235.
“So the transition from the old clubs to the new clubs has been pretty quick. They have only been in the bag a few weeks but I’m really happy.”
The Adelaide-born Ormsby, competing in Turkey for a first time in his career, ended his round with six birdies in succession and in fact played his inward nine in seven under par that included eight birdies and a 12th hole bogey.
“I’ve had some hot runs the last few weeks including the Perth International where I had five birdies in a row and last week in the first round when I defended my Panasonic Open title in India I had four in a row,” said Ormsby.
“But I’m just pleased to be here competing in an event of this stature”.
American John Daly competing on an invitation shot a three under par 67 while Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie, celebrating his 600th European Tour event, signed for a four over par 76 on the course he designed.
