Ian Poulter and Justin Rose satisfied with Hong Kong starts
Friday 23 October 2015 13:01, UK
Ian Poulter was content to bank a three-under-par 67 in the opening round of the UBS Hong Kong Open.
The Englishman only arrived in Hong Kong at 7pm on Wednesday after replacing Rich Beem in the field at late notice in order to retain his European Tour card for next season.
Poulter made a mixed start at Fanling as he followed birdies on the second and fifth with bogeys on the eighth and ninth to reach the turn in level par, but came home in 33 thanks to birdies on the 10th, 15th and 17th to leave himself three shots off the lead.
"I guess in the circumstances it was pretty good," Poulter told European Tour Radio. "Had I nudged a three-footer in for birdie on seven to get to three under that would have been the start I was looking for.
"I missed it and bogeyed the next two holes and it took me a while to get to three under, but overall I have played pretty nicely on a course which I've had to get to know again pretty quickly. I have to be happy with that having landed last night."
Justin Rose missed the cut on his only previous visit to Hong Kong but the Englishman is likely to be in action this weekend after carding a 65 to sit just one off the pace.
"I think I probably had a much better idea this time around how to play it than I did last time. I can focus on more positive things now," said Rose.
He spared a thought for Ryder Cup team-mate Poulter, adding: "I noticed he was trying to have matchsticks in his eyes on the back nine. I know he's been up since 4am, so that's a very good round of golf."
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