Alex Cejka fired a flawless eight-birdie 64 to thrill German galleries who had come early to see Tiger Woods in action but left late knowing that one of their own was leading the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open TPC of Europe at St.Leon-Rot.
Cejka’s eight under par round earned him a one stroke lead over New Zealander Greg Turner while Colin Montgomerie was a further shot behind and Woods, the defending champion, not far off the pace after a solid if unspectacular opening 69.
On a day when the scorching sun baked the new lay-out near Heidelberg, 31 year old Cejka burned up the course in his own inimitable style, going out in 33 and coming home in 31 blows which were accompanied by the sort of roars from the gallery normally reserved for the World’s Number One.
The German, who stands out on account of his bleached blond hair, won three tournaments on The European Tour International Schedule in 1995 but has not managed to add a fourth to his list of achievements. That might have happened in last year’s Open Championship when he went into the final day sharing the lead but, partnering the unfortunate Ian Woosnam, suffered a concentration lapse and finished tied for 13th behind David Duval.
However Cejka is far from downbeat about that day at Royal Lytham & St Annes. He said: “It was a new experience. I finished 13th but it could have been third, or second or even first. Some people only ever have one chance and maybe this year it could be me again. You never know in this game.”
He added: “I played well off the tee and missed only two greens with my iron shots. I didn’t hit a lot of drivers. I prefer the three wood or iron because of the rough and I am happy with my start.”
Turner was at one stage nine under par with five holes remaining and sailing serenely towards the outright leadership of the tournament. However he twice visited water at St.Leon-Rot’s signature hole, the fifth (his 14th), to slip back to seven under.
He finished in that position but wasn’t displeased with that effort on his second tournament back from New Zealand, where he spent several months building a new home. Turner revealed that he had received some putting advice from a journalist which assisted his cause.
“I stopped putting cross handed for the long putts and the ball was certainly rolling a lot better. I had 13 singles today which is more than I normally have all week. When I get to the fifth at nine under I just tried not to be defensive but I managed to knock it in the water.”
Montgomerie, on a twice daily dose of pain killers to fight the effects of a long-term back problem, displayed further signs of a renaissance in his form. In recent weeks he has led during the Notovel Perrier Open de France and the Benson and Hedges International Open without managing to pull off a victory. Once again he has positioned himself well, albeit after only 18 holes.
“I am delighted with what happened today” said Montgomerie, content that his new partnership with caddie, Andy Prodger, had functioned well in their first round in tandem. “I am running into a bit of form so let’s see how long we can hold it.”
Montgomerie, who withdrew from the Pro-Am after 12 holes as a precaution, underwent physiotherapy on his back before teeing off. He added: “I’ve taken two pain killers every day I play since returning from Perth in January. I can’t play if I don’t. I am not concerned long term as long as they are not addictive or banned substances. If it helps me get round, then that’s fine by me.”
On the same topic of “beware the injured golfer”, Darren Clarke gave credence to the theory when – despite a muscle tear in his thigh caused during a fishing expedition – he shot a round of 67, five under par.
Woods, twice a winner over the old course at St.Leon-Rot, carded four birdies and one bogey in his 69 but felt satisfied with his start. He said: “Anything in the sixties is a job well done. I felt as comfortable as I did in the last round in Texas on Sunday but I found it hard to hit the putts hard on the slow greens.”
