An international galaxy of golfing stars, headed by double Volvo Order of Merit winner Retief Goosen of South Africa, Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth and Phillip Price of Wales, crammed the leader board after a scintillating opening day’s play in the Smurfit European Open.
The leading trio all carded six under par 66s, joint course records on the altered 7,337 yard K Club layout, to move one shot clear of home Irish hopefuls Darren Clarke and Gary Murphy, Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson, Scotland’s Andrew Coltart and Søren Hansen of Denmark.
Pick of the leaders was Forsyth, who has not missed a cut in his 13 appearances on The European Tour International Schedule this season and who produced further consistency in County Kildare, a flawless effort yielding six birdies in total.
Two came on the outward half at the second and seventh, another came from six feet at the 13th, while the final three came in a sensational finish at each of the last three holes, coming from four feet, 20 feet and two feet respectively at the 16th, 17th and 18th.
The 27 year old Scot, who finished second in The Diageo Championship at Gleneagles a fortnight ago, admitted that ever since his win in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open last year, his confidence has been growing.
“Obviously everyone’s first win is a big thing for them and the position I was in at the time, the difference was a career changer even though perhaps I didn’t realise it at the time,” he said.
“My first year on Tour I was very happy but everything went a bit wrong in the second year. I don’t know why, maybe my expectations were too high or something. But since then and since Malaysia I have started to play better and better and have been going from strength to strength.”
Alongside Forsyth, Goosen carded one more birdie than the Scot but also dropped a shot when he found the trees off the tee at the 440 yard fifth hole. But overall, the South African was happy with his opening effort.
“To be tied for the lead after the first round is always a healthy position to be in and hopefully I can keep it going,” he said. “What I have to concentrate on now is getting a good round in tomorrow and then looking forward to the weekend.”
The third co-leader Price admitted the assistance of sports psychologist Alan Fine had helped motivate him for the challenge ahead. “I’ve got to get stuck in and Alan definitely helps sharpen me up mentally,” said the Welshman.
“I picked up an injury and had to pull out of The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters. I’ve taken a few weeks off so I feel fresh at the moment and ready to go. I finished second here a few years back so it brings back nice memories to come back.”
Of the five players tied for fourth place after their opening 67s, the most relieved was Darren Clarke, who suffered the distress of seeing his errant tee shot on the 11th hole strike the wife of playing partner Stephen Leaney on the head.
Tracey Leaney, who is six months pregnant, was knocked from her feet by the blow but thankfully not knocked unconscious and after being monitored in the on-site Medical Centre by The European Tour’s Medical Consultant Dr Roger Hawkes, she was allowed back to her hotel having been given the all-clear.
“It is horrible for everyone when something like that happens, it wasn’t a nice moment,” said Clarke. “It is always horrible hitting anyone and when you walk up to see her lying on the ground it is terrible. But thankfully she is okay.”
One shot behind in a share of ninth place on 67 stood three further players, England’s Gary Evans, Zimbabwe’s Mark McNulty and Colin Montgomerie of Scotland, playing his first tournament as a 40 year old, having celebrated the landmark birthday ten days ago.
“I played well,” said the Scot. “I’m driving the ball well, my irons are good and I’m putting much, much better. That’s great because I am looking forward to the next three days, I really am, because I think I can win this now.”
In total, 46 players broke par in total during the first round including defending champion Michael Campbell, the New Zealander surviving a double bogey five at the 14th to card a two under par 70.
