Peter Fowler of Australia, who turned professional three years before defending champion Justin Rose was born, struck a telling blow for the older generation on the European Tour by firing a seven under par 65 to lead after the first round of The Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters at the Marriott Forest of Arden.
The New Zealand resident holds a one stroke lead over four players, Jesus Maria Arruti of Spain, England’s David Lynn, Raymond Russell of Scotland and Germany’s Marcel Siem after a glorious day over the superbly conditioned Warwickshire course.
Fowler, 44 next week and twice Rose’s age, admitted that his recent renaissance had been inspired by the younger brigade currently taking the game by storm and picking off a clutch of titles on the Tour.
“It’s been a challenge” said Fowler, who packed his bags and quit The European Tour – seemingly for good – back in 1996 after three less than fruitful years in which he finished 149th, 146th and 159th on the Volvo Order of Merit. “It if comes too easy you don’t learn anything, so this has all been a good learning curve for me.
“I played rubbish and decided to go back to New Zealand and didn’t expect to return. But I kept chipping away at my game and tried to improve and I’ve been inspired by the good young guys like Adam Scott, Stephen Scahill, Aaron Baddeley and Robert Allenby.
“They all inspired me. They work hard and work out hard and swing the club well and are well mannered guys. Justin Rose is another in the same mould. Just to be out there still, competing with these guys, is great fun.”
Fowler’s seven birdie round maintained his record of not shooting over par in an opening round in 11 starts so far this season. Russell was the first to come close to matching Fowler’s clubhouse target with his 66, his lowest round of the season over the course where he reeled off eight birdies in a row to equal The European Tour record for the most consecutive number of birdies.
“I think I should be doing a lot better than I am on the Tour” said the Scot. “I have under achieved for about four years now. I know how well I can play but you have to watch you don’t get into the comfort zone. It’s easy to do and you can get a little lazy.”
Lynn, who finished third in the Dubai Desert Classic and fourth in the Heineken Classic, has missed the last three cuts but four birdies in a row from the fourth set up a fine opening round. He said: “Missing the last three cuts hasn’t been pleasant. I want to get to competing at the weekend again.”
Playing partners and graduates from the 2002 European Tour Qualifying School, jesus maria Arruti and Marcel Siem, both enjoyed fine rounds of 66 with a combined better-ball score of 60. Arruti record his best outward nine – a six under par 30 – and joined Fowler at seven under briefly before a mixed bag over the homeward nine saw him come back in 36.
Three players finished on 67, five under, including new Volvo PGA Champion, Ignacio Garrido of Spain, Jarmo Sandelin of Sweden – who started and finished with 60 foot birdie putts – and Lee Westwood of England.
Westwood’s round was his best opening round since the Carlsberg Malaysian Open in February and hinted at a return to form.
Rose, meanwhile, finished in a blaze of glory, making an eagle at the seventh (his 16th hole) from 15 feet and following up with a 45 foot birdie putt at the eighth for an opening 69.
