Mikael Lindberg opened with a bogey-free, 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead at the Turkish Airlines Open.

Lindberg finished third at last week’s Volvo China Open and with another good result this week could earn a spot at the US PGA Championship. He is currently 8th on the Asian Swing Rankings and the top-3 players this week will be able to compete at Aronimink in two weeks.

“It was a very good day for sure,” said the Swede. “Started off pretty slow though. I made a good few saves on the front nine and then knocked it close on 18 and from there, rolled in a few more.

“It’s pretty tricky. The greens are firming up a little bit so if you are a little bit offline it’s very difficult to get it close.

“I have been holing quite a lot of putts actually, struggling a bit on the greens lately but this week and last has been pretty good so hopefully it can continue.

“I have been driving it pretty good lately, so I have been just focusing a little bit more on the putting. It’s nice to see some results.”

Continuing the good form 📈

Mikael Lindberg finished 3rd last week and has kept that going at the National Golf Club with an opening 66 to take the lead. pic.twitter.com/HE1qZGIj8g

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 30, 2026

Spain’s Alejandro del Rey fired eight birdies and three bogeys for a 67 and a share of second place at 5-under alongside Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson (one bogey) and South African Daniel van Tonder who remained bogey-free.

“It’s nice to take advantage of a first tee time, first guys off, no wind, perfect conditions,” said Del Rey.

“The greens were rolling perfect. It’s just nice when you have such a good setup to be able to take advantage of it.”

“At the start of the day there was no wind,” added Ferguson. “Felt good first out, the greens were pure and I just took advantage of that which is nice.

“It’s not often you go first out so I was the first person putting on fresh cut greens which does make a difference.”

Five players are tied in fifth place at 4-under including England’s Sam Bairstow who made two bogeys in his 68 and defending champion Martin Couvra of France who finished blemish-free.

The Turkish Airlines Open is the final event of the Asian Swing. The European Swing begins next week with the Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship.

A memorable day for Yordan Yanakiev and Bulgarian golf 🇧🇬 #TurkishAirlinesOpen pic.twitter.com/ajitdPB2dC

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 30, 2026

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2027 Ryder Cup / Adare Manor

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