Macau: England's Ian Poulter marked his return from a four-month injury layoff with a stylish seven-under-par 64 to share the first round lead with Spaniard Carlos Pigem at the Macao Open yesterday.
The former Ryder Cup star birdied all the par-five holes at Macau Golf and Country Club and did not drop a single shot in the US$1.1 million Asian Tour tournament. Pigem, who broke through for his first win in Asia in July, matched Poulter later in the day, thanks to an stunning outward 28 which included five birdies and one eagle.
Thailand's Chapchai Nirat led the chasing pack, with two closing birdies giving him a 65 while India's Anirban Lahiri, champion here in 2014, shot a bogey-free 66 to share fourth place with Australia's Marcus Fraser, who made two eagles after suffering an injury scare at the start of his round.
Birthday boy Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, who turned 22 today, signed for a 67 to share sixth place with back-in-form Australian Marcus Both, last year's joint runner-up Chiragh Kumar of India and Australia's Kalem Richardson.
Poulter, a former world No.5, was delighted to feature on the leaderboard at the Macao Open, the Asian Tour's richest full field event this season.
"It's very important as you have no idea what to expect. As much as you think you can prepare, I've never had four and half months off in my life. It's an unusual position but I played nicely," said the 40-year-old, who was a vice-captain at the recent Ryder Cup for Europe.
Poulter did not pick up his clubs for 14 weeks to rest his arthritic right foot and has a carbon plate inserted into his insole to help alleviate the injury. Despite his brilliant start, he is prepared to take it one step at a time.
"It's a long way to go. The most important thing I'll take away from this is how solid I played, how nicely I putted and I've worked in all areas of my game to get ready and obviously it's a great start," said Poulter, who is a 16-time winner including two on the Asian Tour.
After missing his last three cuts, Pigem, 26, bounced back to form as he shot a career first 28, which included a chip-in eagle on the third. "To be honest, on mini golf, or pitch and putt, I may have shot [28] but certainly not in a tournament," he smiled.
"I've been playing badly the past few weeks. So I'm happy today. I enjoyed myself, made birdies again which is important and hopefully I can keep it like this. I hope this is the beginning of good and new things."
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES
(Par-71)
64 -- Ian Poulter (ENG), Carlos Pigem (ESP)
65 -- Chapchai Nirat (THA)
66 -- Marcus Fraser (AUS), Anirban Lahiri (IND)
67 -- Miguel Tabuena (PHI), Marcus Both (AUS), Chiragh Kumar (IND), Kalem Richardson (AUS)
68 -- Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA), Adam Groom (AUS), Toni Ferrer (ESP), Alex Cejka (GER), Rahil Gangjee (IND), Sutijet Kooratanapisan (THA)