Tiger Woods bogeyed his last hole to finish at two-under-par 70 and six shots behind first-round leaders Henrik Stenson, Darren Fichardt and Thomas Bjorn in the Turkish Open on Friday.
Most of the field was up early to complete the round, after the start on Thursday was delayed by rain. Woods rose even earlier to catch his Stanford alma mater beat Oregon in college football.
Resuming at the 11th hole, Woods made a 20-yard chip shot over a bunker to four 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 to eventually take a bogey.
Stenson, four-under overnight, birdied the 11th, 13th and closing two holes to join South Africa's Fichardt and Denmark's Bjorn atop the leaderboard at eight-under.
That also gave the trio the course record given 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.
"So I am very happy with my score, but then I am taking it one shot at a time as my right wrist is still not in great shape."
Stenson leads the European money list from Graeme McDowell, who was not playing in Turkey. If the Swede were to win on Sunday, that would put even more pressure on McDowell, Justin Rose (70) and Ian Poulter (66) to win in the season-closer in Dubai next week to have any chance of unseating Stenson.
There is a friendly bet between all four that whoever ends the season as the European Tour No.1, the other three will be in debt.
"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, smiling.
"So I am trying my best to keep him behind me."
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