Current European No.1 Henrik Stenson helped himself to a share of a new course record with a 64 as the storm-affected first round of the Turkish Open was completed on Friday.

Stenson along with playing partners Tiger Woods and Justin Rose were among 63 players in the elite 78-player event who returned to the Maxx Royal course on Friday to recommence their round after Thursday was hit by a three-hour delay.

The Swede was staring at a three-wood second shot into the par five 11th green before walking off with a birdie en route to an eight-under-par 64 which saw him join South African Darren Fichardt and Denmark's Thomas Bjorn in a share of the course record.

Stenson had resumed his round at four under par and, after a birdie at 11, he went on to birdie 16, 17 and 18.

Stenson arrived in Turkey enjoying­ a 155,866 euro ($209,289) lead on nearest Race to Dubai rival Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, who has elected not to contest this week's lucrative­ event.

Reigning US Open champion Justin Rose is lying third on the money list, 335,201 euros behind Stenson, with Ian Poulter fourth, and a Stenson win this week will leave him well placed to end the season as holding the top spot on the European Tour.

Woods restarted his round after he left the course staring at a 20-yard (18.28-meter) chip shot over a bunker.

There were less than 30 spectators waiting to watch Woods hit his shot to within four feet (1.22 meters) of the pin and hole the putt for birdie to move to two under par.

By the time Woods, Stenson and Rose ended their round, there were a couple of thousand spectators following the group, but Woods spoilt his round when he found a water hazard with his second shot at the 18th to eventually take a bogey in a two-under-par 70.

AFP - Global Times