Paul McGinley took a share of the first-round lead at the Dunhill Championship today with a bogey-free 66, claiming a one-shot lead along with Welshman Stephen Dodd at six-under-par.
"I'm surprised but pleased," said McGinley, who only entered at the last minute when his plans to play certain tournaments on the American PGA Tour fell through.
"I was going to go to America and play three or four events on the West Coast but I didn't get the invites I was hoping to get," he said.
McGinley was surprised to lead the Dunhill Championship after taking a six-week break at the end of last year.
"Often it's good to be fresh. I scored well but didn't play particularly well. My scoring surprised me.
Dodd, the 1989 British Amateur champion, secured his share of the lead with a sublime round including four birdies and an eagle.
Greg Owen and South African James Kingston were among seven players at five-under-par, with Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a group of 10 players a further stroke back.
South African Open champion Tim Clark was six-under par through 15 holes, but finished with a double-bogey and a bogey to end on three-under.
Former professional soccer player Roy Wegerle was given his first taste of golf's fickle nature.
The ex-premier league striker started well with a birdie at the par-four first, but his round unravelled after that as he carded a 76 on his professional golf debut.
"I was nervous out there, but that's natural," said Wegerle.
Wegerle finished with the same score as the Belfast amateur Michael Hoey. The British Amateur champion will need a sub-par round tomorrow if he is to qualify for the weekend.