Darren Clarke made a dismal start to the defence of his Compass English Open title at the Forest of Arden course today.
Searching for this third successive win in the event, the world number 10 bogeyed four of his opening six holes, the only saviour being a solitary birdie at the par five third.
Alternatively, Andrew Oldcorn, the Volvo PGA champion from two weeks ago, clearly has a taste for success and he shares the first round lead with Australia’s teenage sensation Adam Scott.
The Scot carded a five under par 67 after making the perfect start with a run of six successive birdies from the third to reach the turn in 30.
However, with a course record in sight, the 41-year-old stumbled somewhat to complete the inward half in one-over 37. Birdies at the 13th and 16th were cancelled out with bogies on 11, 15 and 17.
Scott, who won the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa in January, made six birdies with a bogey on the 15th the only blemish on his card.
Little known Italian Marco Bernardini holds third place on his own one shot further back on four under.
The charismatic figure of his better known countryman, Constantino Rocca, shares fourth on three under with England’s David Howell.
Meanwhile, the other Irish fared little better than Clarke at the start of a miserable opening day. Of the seven players in the field not one has managed to move under par yet.
Philip Walton and Eamonn Darcy both completed their rounds and have left themselves with much work to do following rounds of three over 75 and four over 76 respectively.
David Higgins was one over after six holes while Ryder Cup hopeful Paul McGinley was on the same mark with three holes completed.
Des Smyth was one back through six holes having made a double bogey, bogey, birdie start before steadying the ship with three pars. Challenge Tour player Paddy Gribben has yet to get his first round underway.