GOLF NEWS - It is hard to believe that just 12 months ago, Haydn Porteous wondered if he even belonged on the European Tour. If the 23-year-old Johannesburg golfer had any doubts after his Czech Masters victory in September, a share of the lead in the opening round of the Turkish Airlines Open should convince him.
Porteous fired seven birdies for a flawless 65 at the par-71 Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort to set the early clubhouse target.
He will start the second round at the top of the pile alongside Nicholas Colsaerts from Belgium and Dutchman Joost Luiten. The trio leads by one shot from Major champion Padraig Harrington and Andres Romero from Argentina.
The performance was a far cry from the boy who moaned that he couldn’t play the course last year.
“I guess I’ve come a long way,” joked Porteous. “Last year I was having some real issues with the swing and the putter and it was a frustrating week.
"I just felt I couldn’t play the course. Even though I shot 66 in the final round, it was a flash in a pan. I left Turkey in a very negative mind set. I didn’t think I belonged on the European Tour and I was just very negative about my game.
“The game did pick up and the win in Prague changed everything. Winning the Joburg Open was one of the most special moments of my career, but I always felt that I’d won in my own back yard. I think it’s when you win one in Europe that you feel that sense of belonging.”
