Turner starts well in Singapore; Spieth starts better
SINGAPORE-Darren Clarke during round one of The SMBC Singapore Open, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organization. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Lagardère Sports
World No 1 Jordan Spieth is just a shot off the clubhouse lead in the weather-delayed SMBC Singapore Open but it was also a good day for Cork's Niall Turner.
As Spieth carded a four under par 67 to trail early leaders Keith Horne of South Africa and compatriot Barry Henson by one stroke at a steamy Sentosa Golf Club, Muskerry star Turner posted a one under 70 to share 21st in his opening event of the year.
While he had 33 putts, the former Irish Close runner-up missed just two greens in a four-birdie round before play was suspended late in the afternoon due to lightning.
"I was a bit rusty after the winter break but it was good to get under par," said Turner. "The heat was unreal out there!
"Everything was pretty solid but I struggled with the speed of the greens on front nine and didn't feel sharper until the back."
European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke had three three-putts and 36 putts in an opening, three over par 74.
As for Spieth, he had a bogey-free round, highlighted by an opening 20-footer for birdie.
Spieth said: “My speed control was great, with no three putts, I had a lot of putts over 30 feet today, I know I was not hitting it close enough but I managed to hit the fairway to a good number and get onto the greens where I just need to two-putt. It was pretty stress free and but there were no real opportunities."
