[ad_1]
Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald showed some of his potential players how to shoot a stellar 64 at the HSBC Championship in Abu Dhabi.
The 541st-ranked former world No. 1 birdied the last four holes of the Yas Links course for a total of nine shots to open with an eight-under-par 64 and set the club goals.
The first round was not over due to dim lighting, but Donald ended the day with a one-stroke lead over Italy’s Guido Migliozzi and Australia’s Jason Scrivener, with Ireland’s Seamus Bow Al was one shot behind.
“Playing here the last few days, I think as long as it’s not too windy, there are some low scores here,” said Donald, who last finished in the global top 10 more than three years ago.
“It just kind of fits my eyes. It’s not too tight off the tee. I think you’ve got to pick some good lines. I think you’re going to hit a lot of greens here because you’re going to be hitting a lot of fairways too.
“I putt really well today and just made a three-putt on the third hole for my only bogey. I thought maybe (I) watched some good golf last week (at the Hero Cup) Then I got some inspiration.”
Donald said he wasn’t surprised by his form after finishing 13th with an opening 65 at the Ryder Bank Challenge in November, but played down his chances of being captain.
Arnold Palmer was the last to do so in 1963, and Donald said: “We’re a long way from that.”
When Henrik Stenson was stripped of his duties after joining LIV Golf, Donald took over as captain, despite signing a contract promising not to support or promote other tours.
Stenson, playing his first DP World Tour event since that decision in July, opened with a 68, and former Open champion Sean Lowry and Francesco Molinari were among seven players with 67s.
Asked if he regretted his decision, Stenson said: “No, I made my decision and obviously the European Ryder Cup team made their decision. It’s not great, but it is what it is. , the Ryder Cup is a big part of my career.
“I wish Luke all the best as the team moves forward and we’ll see where we end up in the long run.”
The PGA Tour banned LIV Golf members indefinitely, while last summer’s DP World Tour fined players £100,000 and banned them from the Genesis Scottish Open, but put an appeal on hold.
The full case will be heard in early February and will effectively decide whether
The Tour can sanction the likes of Stenson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.
Asked how he would respond to suggestions that LIV players should not return to the DP World Tour, Stenson said: “My view is that the day we all go to the PGA Tour, we shouldn’t It was also popular then.
“There are a lot of tours in the world and as far as I’m concerned, as long as you meet your criteria and earn your right to be there, you should be able to play as many tournaments as possible.”
[ad_2]
Source link
