GOLF EUROPEAN TOUR:PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON, trying to get his game in shape to defend his British Open title, remained upbeat despite struggling again in yesterday's first round of the French Open.
The triple major champion from Ireland lagged 10 strokes behind leader Martin Kaymer of Germany, who equalled the course record of 62 after a blistering nine-under effort which included an eagle and eight birdies.
Last week’s BMW International Open runner-up Rafa Echenique of Argentina shared second place on 65 with former winner John Bickerton of Britain, Thai Thongchai Jaidee, Australian Scott Strange and Swede Peter Hanson. Last week’s winner Nick Dougherty shot a 66.
“Being one over par makes it tough for me for this week’s tournament but I was very encouraged with the way I played,” Harrington told reporters after his 72.
He put his disappointing scoring down to early blemishes on the greens.
“Three three-putts hurt me badly and it took a long time to get into my rhythm after that,” said Harrington, who has missed his last four cuts.
The US PGA champion, who defends his British Open crown at Turnberry, Scotland later this month, put his putting errors down to concentrating too much on other parts of his game.
“This is what happens when you are tinkering with things,” said Harrington. “It can be hard to play confident golf. I was pleased with the physical side of my game but not the mental side.”
Harrington was paired with Ian Poulter, runner-up to him at Royal Birkdale last summer, and they both finished down the field on one over. Both looked on the bright side afterwards, however.
Poulter, in Europe for the first time this year, went in the water twice for a triple bogey seven on the 18th, his ninth, and had angry words with a photographer walking off the tee there.
But he said: “Take that hole out of it that was not disastrous. After I pulled the drive into the lake I dropped the ball in a smelly lie, but overall I played lovely.
The 24-year-old Kaymer’s form was remarkable because he underwent emergency foot surgery on a painful blistered foot on Wednesday.
“The pain was unbelievable so the doctor cut the blister open to relieve the pain before I could play in the pro-am yesterday,” said the German.
“But it was still bad so I had to have a hole cut in my shoe.
“I needed to play the pro-am for practice. Today I got a few twinges but generally there was no pain and I really took advantage of great conditions.
“I’ve been missing a lot of short putts, but everything came together – and I hope it continues,” he said after taking a three-stroke lead.
Kaymer’s round actually began with a bogey, but after five birdies in the next nine holes he chipped in for eagle at the long third and finished with three more birdies for an inward 30.
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, playing in his 500th European Tour event, carded a 67.
Twice major champion John Daly hobbled out of the tournament with a back strain. The American is anxious to be fit to play in the British Open in two weeks’ time, the championship he won in 1995. Daly was already eight over when he quit with a bad back on the 17th.
Shane Lowry and Gareth Maybin were best of the strong Irish contingent following day one and in a tie for 32nd place following their opening rounds of 69 - two under par. Damien McGrane was a shot further adrift following a one under par 70.
Peter Lawrie and Michael Hoey shot opening 71s while Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell joined Harrington on one over par 72. Darren Clarke was two over following his 73 while Gary Murphy faces a struggle to make the cut following his opening 74.
