Paratore and Norris light up Capital
Italy’s Renato Paratore and South Africa’s Shaun Norris carded identical opening round scores of eight-under 64 on Thursday to share the lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship while world number one Brooks Koepka was tied third on his return from injury.
The 23-year-old Paratore, chasing his second title on the European Tour, sank nine birdies with gains in the final four holes before Norris too finished the round strongly.
“Today the short game was really good and also the iron play,” Paratore said. “The last four holes I holed some good putts on 18 and 17 so I’m pretty happy with the short game.”
Norris, who lost his father in July, said he was enjoying his golf again with his brother carrying his bags.
Meanwhile, World number one Brooks Koepka made a superb comeback from a 14-week injury layoff, shooting a bogey-free six-under par 66.
In the opening Rolex Series event of the European Tour season, that round left Koepka two shots behind leaders Renato Paratore and Shaun Norris, but it laid to rest all speculation about the fitness of the American four-time major champion.
The 29-year-old Koepka was tied for third alongside Jason Scrivener of Australia, with six players in joint fifth on fiveunder, including former Masters champion Sergio Garcia.
Defending Abu Dhabi and British Open champion Shane Lowry of Ireland started his campaign with a twounder par 70. Paired in the same group as Koepka, the world number 19 paid for a double bogey on the parthree 12th hole.
Koepka was well in control of his game and rarely courted trouble. He also wielded a hot putter, making four of his six birdies from well outside 12 feet.
“It’s good to be back. I missed the competition, obviously,” he said. “Played really solid and if I really want to pick it apart, I missed a few putts early in the round.
“But I drove the ball well, controlled the ball flight and controlled the distances really well and that’s what you have to do out here.”
Koepka, who had to undergo stem cell treatment late last year for his left knee, said he felt fine after walking 18 holes for the past three days.
“The knee feels fine. It was a little sore last night,” he added. “Just did some treatment on it. That’s expected. This is a first week I’ve walked 18 holes and I’ve done it three times already.
“I’m very pleased with how I played today. It will be nice to be able to practice again. I haven’t been able to practice much last year... I just couldn’t. It was too painful and wasn’t being able to do the things I wanted to do... “You don’t forget how to swing the golf club.”
“I have been joking with my mum and brother that I am like wine, maturing with age,” said Norris.
“I hit the ball nicely today. Gave myself a few chances... “As soon as I made the putt on the eighth, and then ninth, just started feeling like it’s snowballing. I started hitting better shots closer to the holes.”
The 23-year-old Paratore, looking for his second European Tour win following his triumph in the 2017 Nordea Masters, closed with four straight birdies.