Sweden’s Henrik Stenson stole a march on his Race to Dubai rivals shooting a four under par 68 on the opening day of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Despite a bogey a three-putt bogey at the last Stenson remained in front or nearest European Number One rival and playing partner Justin Rose, who shot a round of 70.
England’s Ian Poulter, and third on the money list, shot a three under par 69 while Northern Ireland’s fourth placed Graeme McDowell birdied three holes in succession from his 14th hole in a score of 72.
Henrik Stenson and his caddy, Gareth Lord finding the line during the 1st round of the DP World Tour Championship. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)
Spain’s Alejandro Canizares heads the event birding his opening two holes and then three in succession from the 14th in a round of a six under par 66.
Thailand’s Kiradeck Aphibarnrat and Australia’s Marcus Fraser are next best with 67s.
Stenson no ill-effects of a right wrist injury that restricted his pre-event practice to just none holes on the eve of the $US 8m event on the Earth Course at Jumeriah Estates.
“I was a bit tired coming up the last and just lost a bit of focus there on the first putt hitting four foot past the hole, and then it was disappointing to miss the putt coming back,” he said.
“So while that was frustrating it was a good first round. I am playing good and there is no real need to worry about the game out there and it’s one day down and three to go.
“My wrist felt good today and it hasn’t been bothering me that much. It’s after the round that it stiffens up a bit and starts to swell up and look inflamed but it feels alright at the moment.”
Rose teed-up trailing Stenson by Euro 213,468 ($US 287,033) and, at worst, needs to finish fifth and then see Stenson placed 53rd or worst, if the reigning US Open is to add the Race to Dubai title to his best-ever season.
Rose had three birdies in his round but saved the best for last in holing a 20-foot putt for par after having dropped a shot at 17.
“I feel as though I got a good score out of today by holing that putt on the last because finishing bogey, bogey would have left an awful taste in the mouth,” said Rose.
“So all in all, I am satisfied as it is a start I can build on.
“But then in saying that Henrik got off to another strong start and he seems to do that in all his tournaments recently.
“He has his name up there on the board and he’s already making it hard for the rest of us but I knew that would be the case, and that is why I wanted it to be in my own hands this week that if I won this week and won the golf tournament, I also win the Race to Dubai.
“So my goal remains the same as it was at the start of the week and that is I have come here to Dubai to first win the DP World Tour Championship.”
Canizares was grateful to European Tour officials, travel agents Fairway Travel along with Dubai and Turkish Immigration officers after his girlfriend, Ingrid had been stopped at Antalya Airport on Sunday night and stopped from boarding a special Turkish Airlines charter flight to Dubai.
She is travelling on a Czech passport and though the pair have been living together in Spain for four years, Canizares revealed he had forgotten to apply for a UAE visa.
“I always think that because we have been together for four years she’s got a Spanish passport but she’s got t Czech Republic passport,” he said.
“It was very stressful at the airport on Sunday but we got lucky with the help of the European Tour’s Nick Tarrat, who works for the Tour out here in Dubai, the guys from Fairway Travel and the captain of immigration at Dubai Airport.
“They met the flight at 3am and they let her into the country, so she is fine.”
