Poulter, Fraser early leaders in European Tour finale

By foxsports
Published

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Ian Poulter and Marcus Fraser carded 6-under-par rounds of 66 each to be the clubhouse leaders halfway through the opening round of the World Tour Championship on Thursday.

Poulter, world-ranked 50 and trying to stay there, went bogey-free on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Fraser was 7 under after 14 holes, but a bogey on the par-4 16th soured the Australian's finish.

Francesco Molinari was one behind on 67, while Alejandro Canizares of Spain, who was ranked 62nd in the Race to Dubai and got into the field after Sergio Garcia and George Coetzee pulled out, shot 68. Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay also started with a 4-under 68.

Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy, and second-place Danny Willett were in the last group, and at 2 under after eight holes.

Two-time defending champion Henrik Stenson was even par after 13 holes.