South African journeyman Keith Horne leads after the opening round of the Saab Welsh Open following a fine 64 at Celtic Manor.
McDowell in contention in Wales Open title defence
South African journeyman Keith Horne leads after the opening round of the Saab Welsh Open following a fine 64 at Celtic Manor.
Bathed in warm sunshine, the Ryder Cup venue gave up many birdies but the pitfalls still remained for those struggling to find their game.
But Horne, who will be 40 next week, was not amongst them as he came home in 30 for a flawless seven under par round.
That was one shot better than Ryder Cup winner Peter Hanson, who had a run of five birdies in six holes midway through his round of 65.
England duo Steve Webster and Paul Broadhurst and Alvaro Velasco of Spain are two off the pace after posting rounds of 66 late in the day.
A big group of four players are on four-under after rounds of 67 including Europe's Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell, who hit back from his only dropped shot of the day at the 14th with an eagle at the next.
Defence
"It's all simmering nicely. I need to get into the mix this weekend and get the old juices flowing again," said the defending champion, who will be defending his US Open title later this month.
"I've definitely got three or four days of chilling out planned next week - maybe go and wear out a groove in my mum's couch in Portrush.
"I'm going to fly to Orlando Thursday and Pete (coach Pete Cowen) is coming in Friday."
Welshman Stuart Manley leads the home contingent alongside McDowell on four-under.
"I am over the moon. I had not played well recently, and confidence has been a little bit low, but I made a few putts today and played quite nicely," he said.
"It has been about persistent hard work, and a couple of new routines this week - a bit more discipline and a bit more professionalism - and it worked well for me."
Jamie Donaldson, from Pontypridd, is one shot behind Manley after relishing the company of McDowell and Hanson in a high-class three-ball.
"Between the three of us, we hit some really good shots," he said. "The greens were beautiful in the morning, and when you play the course in flat, calm conditions, it is just how you want it.
"I played really well from the word go, and overall I am very happy. If three or four more putts had dropped, I could have been right up there."
Level par
Ross Fisher and Miguel Angel Jimenez are the other two members of last year's victorious European side taking part.
Fisher, who on Sunday week needs to be back in the world's top 50 from his current 52nd if he is to play in the US Open, had a level par 71 but Jimenez managed only a 73.
The Spaniard was paired with captain Colin Montgomerie, but four days after his first top-10 finish for almost three years - seventh in the BMW PGA Championship - the 47-year-old Scot was twice in the water over the closing stretch and signed for a 77.
"I started bogey, bogey, bogey and could have gone home," said the 47-year-old Scot. "Now I'll waste my time tomorrow and then go home.
"I'm very tired, mentally more than physically," he said after finishing with a double-bogey seven.
