Matt Ford and Michael Jonzon negotiated the challenging National Golf Club in three under par to share the clubhouse lead midway through the opening day of the Turkish Airlines Challenge.
Englishman Ford, who finished tied fourth in the Challenge de Catalunya last month, got off to a flying start at the Belek venue with two birdies in the opening two holes before two more at the fourth and seventh holes, followed by a bogey at the ninth took him to the turn in three under.
He picked up another shot at the 12th hole but dropped it immediately with a bogey at the 13th before another at the 15th meant he fell back to two over. The 36 year old finished in style though, knocking his approach at the 18th to six feet before holing the putt for a birdie to sign for a three under 69.
“My irons were really good today,” said the Maidstone player. “I hit a wedge to about five feet at the first and to about two feet at the second so they were pretty straightforward birdies.
“I was four under through seven holes then and everything was going nicely, but I made a mess of the ninth and had a tough up and down for bogey. I had a couple of opportunities on the back nine and birdied 12, but then had a nice chip on the 15th which took a firm bounce and resulted in another bogey.
“I played really well on the last three holes though and then hit a nice shot at the last for a good birdie to finish off.
“I hit a lot of good iron shots to give myself opportunities. I'm confident for the week now. I didn’t hit it that well during practice and off the tee it wasn’t great, but I was pretty straight which is key around here.”
Jonzon, meanwhile, looked to be storming into the lead when he carded six birdies in his opening 13 holes to move three clear on six under, but three bogeys in the final five holes meant he could only share the lead with Ford with the afternoon starters yet to finish.
“Overall it was a really solid round,” said the two-time European Tour winner. “I kept myself on the fairway most of the time which is obviously the key around here.
“In the end I'm a little disappointment with the result because I had got to six under, but overall I'm really happy with the way I'm playing and how I'm putting.
“It’s difficult out there because there is no margin for error whatsoever. As soon as you hit one slightly bad shot it can cost you several shots. You have to be on top of your game and focussed and try to be tactically sound.”
