McGinley heads strong Irish challenge

Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington are in hot pursuit of early leader Ian Poulter at the Volvo Masters in Jerez.

The event, which traditionally brings down the curtain on the golfing season this side of the Atlantic, has attracted a top class field including newly established European number one Retief Goosen.

But it’s Poulter, one of the Tours up-and-coming golfers, who leads the way after he cashed in on near-perfect conditions at the Montecastillo Golf Club with a blemish-free round of 64.

The Englishman, fresh from finishing third at last week's Italian Open, reeled off six birdies and an eagle-three at the 16th to move one shot ahead of Australia's Peter Lonard, who had set the this morning pace with a 65.

Paul McGinley is one shot further back in third, the Dubliner carding four birdies and an eagle to move to six under. McGinley, fresh from a fortnights break, is just one stoke ahead of Padraig Harrington.

Harrington survived a double-bogey at the 13th and finding the water at the 17th to stay well in contention in a share of fourth spot.

Darren Clarke, the third an final Irishman in a strong field, struggled somewhat with his game but still managed to shoot 70.

Poulter, meanwhile, vaulted up the early first-round leaderboard with loops of 33 and 31, returning his lowest first-round score on the European Tour.

"I hit it nice on the range and it felt great today after last week where I felt I didn't putt as well as I should have done," said Poulter, who lies 21st on the European money list with only this week's event remaining.

"Coming into the week, I've worked hard on the same stuff and everything's gone quite nicely. All in all, it was a solid round of golf today but I could have got a few more out there.

"I'm pleased with the way things have gone after winning last year's rookie of the year award.

"Winning in Morocco was really nice and then I played solid through the middle of the year. I think all the hard work is starting to pay off and it could get exciting for me next year as well."