England’s Ian Poulter took the first round honours in Abu Dhabi with a 7-under par 65 to claim a share of a one-shot lead in the Abu Dhabi Championship. His round was matched by fellow countryman Richard Bland and South Africa’s Keith Horne.
Poulter’s round included seven birdies, the highlight of which was a last-hole 70-foot putt which would have gone ten feet or more past the hole if it hadn’t dropped. Poulter, the world number 12, netted four birdies on the front nine and a further three on the back nine.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia – back playing after an injured hand – and Irishman Rory McIlroy shot rounds of 66 to follow in a group of nine players, which includes Peter Hanson, Alex Noren, Alvaro Quiros and Paul Lawrie – the 1999 British Open champion.
World number 4 and European number one Lee Westwood opened with a three-under 69 and is part of a group tied for 25th place.
Defending champion Paul Casey and Geoff Ogilvy of New Zealand both carded level par rounds of 72, while European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie carded a one-over round of 73.
YourGolfTravel’s pick for the title, Germany’s Martin Kaymer opened his challenge with a five-under par round of 67 to share 13th place with three other players.
The day’s worst round came from New Zealand’s Michael Campbell who carded a dismal eleven-over par 83.