While Henrik Stenson was off and running at the HSBC Championship, defending champion Rickie Fowler basically stumbled his way out of the starting blocks on Thursday.
Four birdies and four bogeys added up to an even par 72 for Fowler which didn’t quite cut it on the birdie-friendly Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Fowler’s effort left him in a lowly tie for 75th. He wasn’t alone in his misery, however, U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson was equally unimpressive with a 72 while Masters champ Danny Willett showed that all is not well with his game after opening with 74. Willett was tied for 111th and will have to hustle on Friday to make the weekend.
Stenson put together a flawless round, eight birdies for an opening 64, only two shots off the course record that is owned by Stenson and set back in 2006.
Despite trailing Stenson by eight shots, Fowler can take solace in the fact that he opened with 70 last year, then went on a roll with three straight rounds in the 60s to end up holding the trophy on Sunday.
First Round Scores:
