Golf: First day of 2017 Turkish Airlines Open ends

ANTALYA, Turkey

The first day of the 2017 Turkish Airlines Open golf tournament as part of the European Tour Rolex Series ended on Thursday in Turkey's southern Antalya province.

The tournament in Regnum Carya Golf & Resort saw three players, Nicolas Colsaerts from Belgium, Haydn Porteous from South Africa and Joost Luiten from Netherlands share first place with their scores at seven-under-par.

Fans have shown show interest in the tournament as famous golfers like Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Thorbjorn Olesen have participated in the event.

Olesen, who is the 2016 Turkish Airlines Open champion, eneded the day in the 19th place with a two-under-par score.

Turkish golfers Ali Altuntas ended the day 42nd; Leon Acikalin came in at 59th and Taner Yamac finished the first day 77th.

The tournament, in which 78 players are competing, is to end on Nov. 5.

Reporting by Oktay Ozden; Writing by Satuk Bugra Kutlugun