Dutchman Derksen early lead at Vines
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic | Round One | 19 Feb 2009
Robert-Jan Derksen leads the morning field at the Johnnie Walker Classic at the Vines Resort, his final nine of 31 completing a round of 64 and moving him one clear of Singaporean Mardan Mamat who has still two holes to play.
A group of three are at 6 under including Englishmen Lee Westwood and John Bickerton and Ireland’s Damien McGrane.
In perfect early conditions, large crowds arrived early to watch the marquee group of Westwood, Greg Norman and Camilo Villegas and while Westwood did not disappoint Villegas (72) and Norman (75) did not do quite as well.
Derksen, who hails from the Netherlands, last won in 2003 when he recorded a final round of 64 in Dubai, missed the cut by one last week in Malaysia but that was more to do with his health than his golf game.
“I actually played alright last week but the humidity and heat caught up with me on Friday,” he said after his round.
“I really think this is a good golf course. I like this configuration in fact when it was suggested they would change the configuration of nines in 2006 I made the decision not to come here. I am pleased they changed it back.”
A mid-round swing correction by Lee Westwood got his game heading in the right direction charging home in 32 to be at 6 under and in share of third.
Westwood has played sparingly in 2009 and, by his own admission, when he has he has played, it has been like a man with little tournament exposure this season.
“I did a lot of gym work before the events in the Middle East but after that went back to the UK and it snowed. I stopped off in Dubai for a few days on the way here and practiced but still feel a bit rusty.”
“It is actually however nice to play without expectation for a change and play with the freedom that gives you. Another treat for me today was to play with Greg as he was always one of my idols growing up and I always wanted to be and play golf like him. He is charismatic and aggressive and I still enjoy watching him play.”
New Zealander Danny Lee was also making good progress late in his morning round moving to 5 under through 16 holes.
