Golf: First round highlights of Dubai World Championship 2010
The first day of 2010 Dubai World Championship ended with Robert Karlsson in the lead and Noh Seung-Yul chasing behind.
Karlsson smashed a fabulous iron play in the outward nine and surged to lead with the help of seven-under-65. The 41-year-old kicked off with a superb start and matched his last year’s course lowest, pushing rest of the sixty players in
lower positions. The veteran was chased by a 19-year-old South Korean, Noh Seung-Yul. Further stroke behind was the leader of Race to Dubai, Martin Kaymer. The German compiled a score of 5-under-par in the bid for $7.5 million worth event.
The 25-year-old German faced threat from his closest competitor, Graeme McDowell. However, Kaymer became lucky when the Irish faltered on 7600 yards and surrendered at par. Mc Dowell failed to comprehend the course and missed three shots in eighteen holes.
On the other hand, Kaymer managed to keep himself in a higher position and hence vaulted his chances on the bonus. According to the analysts, McDowell can override Kaymer if he wins the title or finishes in second place provided Kaymer finishes in a lower
spot.
The Swede fought against all odds and surged to the top against the expectations of the crowd. He teed off from the front and dropped a shot at the first hole. However, he did not let the bogey spoil his day and picked up four birdies on his way. On his
way to the back nine, the veteran reeled off four more birdies along with an eagle and settled with the score of seven-under.
The 41-year-old was pleased with his game and it could be seen from the huge curve on his lips. He said, “I think it's one of those courses, when you're playing well, it's easy to get close to the pins because they sort of feed to the pins very often, but
if you're off the sort of bowls of the pins, it's very difficult to set yourself. So I think that's why my score today was a bit like that. Made a lot of good stuff and when I missed it, it was difficult to save myself."
Karlsson was content that he gave a fair performance in front of the massive field. He added that he was not eying the trophy, but he was tackling each hole of the course, which eventually helped him rise.
Order of merit leader was lost in last three tournaments held in Asia, although he had the skills and experience to conquer the course. Noh kicked off with six birdies and carved a bogey less scorecard on the first day.
While speaking to the press, Noh said, "I think it was a good day. I had a clean sheet, no bogeys. The wind is blowing up a bit, but when I played, it was calm, so I think that was to my advantage, as well. It's a great experience and to be playing among
the best in the world right now, and to have a chance at the prize and probably a shot at not probably the first prize in the bonus pool, but at least a shot at it, it's a great experience, and it's a great advantage for my career, as well."
The defending champion, Lee Westwood shot a 69 and failed to impress the crowd. He took a share in the fifth spot along with Sergio Garcia. The world number one is in the hunt and rumour has it that he might lose the number one title by the end of the weekend.
This is it for the first round of the Dubai World Championship, which took place at the Jumeirah Golf Estate in Dubai. Robert Karlsson took the early lead, followed by Noh Seung-Yul. The third spot was conquered by Martin Kaymer and chances are that the
veteran will improve his position in the second round.
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