Lee Westwood shot his lowest round for 26 months (seven-under 64) to command a one shot overnight lead at the Telefonica Madrid Open at Club de Campo today.
The former European number one joked afterwards: "I'm almost happy again." But Europe's current number one Retief Goosen stormed away after his opening round in a furious mood.
Just a day after slamming Order of Merit rival Padraig Harrington for being "definitely the slowest player on tour", the South African was the one in trouble with officials for his speed of play.
Goosen was not fined or penalised a stroke, but just to be given a warning was enough for the normally mild-mannered 33-year-old to lose his cool after a 66 that left him one behind Harrington, who shares second place with Londoner Brian Davis and Dutchman Maarten Lafeber.
Last year's money list winner, who leads Harrington by £34,000 with only two more events to come, was spoken to afterwards by tournament director Jose Maria Zamora and Goosen was heard to comment: "Perhaps I will go and play somewhere else."
He then walked past waiting reporters and left it for Zamora to explain that Goosen was timed after his group - also including Westwood - fell out of position and took 20 seconds too long over his second shot to the 15th.
Westwood was also adjudged to have taken too long over his recovery from a fairway bunker at the last.
But while he was not best pleased about that and criticised officials for not coming down harder on the really slow players, Westwood had plenty to smile about.
It was a good day for the three other Irish contenders in Madrid. Graeme McDowell was next best on three-under following his 68. Ryder Cup hero Paul McGinley and veteran Des Smyth were a shot further back.
PA