Alejandro Canizares set the pace at the DP World Tour Championship with a first-round 66 on Thursday. With all eyes on Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson, who finished two shots back, it was the Spaniard&aposs six-under-par score that led the way at Jumeirah Golf Estates. Thailand&aposs Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Australia&aposs Marcus Fraser carded 67s, with English duo Ian Poulter and Justin Rose – both hot on the heels of Stenson – on three and two under respectively. Canizares, who last won a European Tour event at the Russian Open in 2006, was in fine form as he kicked off his round with back-to-back birdies, sinking five more and registering just one bogey. Stenson, who is also gunning to be crowned European number one, is well in contention despite dropping a shot at the last. The 37-year-old is carrying a wrist injury but did not allow that to impact on his game as he went round in 68. The Swede&aposs only complaint was his six at the 18th. “It has been a lot of hard work all season and I just let my focus slip on the last,” he said. “That sucks, but I am still in good shape and playing nicely. The guys are running on fumes so everybody is looking forward to getting done. “You can&apost win a tournament on Thursday but you can certainly play your way out of it. I would have taken four under at the start of the day so I just have to let the disappointment of the last slip away.”
Author: Omnisport