BELEK, TURKEY (AP) - Tiger Woods bogeyed his last hole to finish the rain-delayed first round at 2-under 70 in the Turkish Open on Friday, leaving him six shots behind leaders Henrik Stenson, Darren Fichardt and Thomas Bjorn.
Most of the field was up early to complete the round after the start on Thursday was delayed by rain. Woods got up even earlier to watch television coverage of Stanford’s 26-20 victory over Oregon in college football.
Resuming at the 11th hole, Woods hit a 20-yard chip over a bunker to 4 feet and sank the birdie putt. He also birdied the 13th but spoiled his round when he found a water hazard with his second shot at the 18th and took a bogey.
Stenson, who was at 4-under overnight, birdied the 11th, 13th and closing two holes to join South Africa’s Fichardt and Denmark’s Bjorn atop the leaderboard at 8 under. The trio also shared the course record as it’s the first time Maxx Royal is hosting a European Tour event.
“After some good playing yesterday I was in a good position when they called it, and I just carried on today making a couple of nice birdies coming in,” Stenson said.
Stenson leads the European money list ahead of Graeme McDowell, who is not playing in Turkey. If the Swede wins the tournament, that would put even more pressure on McDowell, Justin Rose and Ian Poulter to win the season-closer in Dubai next week to have any chance of overtaking Stenson.
The four have a friendly bet that whoever finishes the season as Europe’s No. 1 will collect from the other three.
“Justin was walking around the other day with a white cloth over his arm, like a drinks waiter, and reminding me that is how I will look when he wins the Race to Dubai,” Stenson said. “So I am trying my best to keep him behind me.”
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