Scotland's Stephen Gallacher continued his return to form by snatching the early lead in The Celtic Manor Wales Open today.
On the course where The Ryder Cup takes place in October, the nephew of three-time European captain Bernard Gallacher birdied the 11th and 13th holes to move ahead of a group on one under par which included local hope Bradley Dredge and Bristol's Chris Wood.
The 35 year old from Bathgate has finished fourth and sixth the last two weeks and since the first of those came in the lucrative BMW PGA Championship it was worth nearly €225,000.
That was more than four times his total earnings on The European Tour last season, when he was limited to a mere 16 starts because of sarcoidosis - a viral infection which attacked his lungs and joints.
He went back to the qualifying school in November, came third and now things are really looking up again for the winner of the 2004 Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.
The sun was shining for the opening round, but German star Martin Kaymer, another of the early starters, has said he hopes the same does not apply for The Ryder Cup match should he make Colin Montgomerie’s team.
"I like to play in bad weather," said Kaymer. "I think it would be an advantage for the European players too.
"We have more experience in bad weather than the Americans and I think that will make a difference."
Half the field were teeing off on the long 11th because of the logistics of the course and Wood, like Gallacher, added a two on the 189 yard 13th to his opening birdie four.
There was another birdie for the Scot at the 377 yard 15th, though, and he moved back into outright top spot.
The 458 yard 12th was causing some early difficulty - England's Ross Fisher double bogeyed it and BMW PGA Championship winner Simon Khan dropped a shot on his return to action after his life-changing win.
