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Broadhurst has Torrance to thank

Paul Broadhurst took time out after equalling the course record of 64 at Le Meridien in the Portuguese Open to thank veteran …

Thu Mar 30 2006 - 01:00

Paul Broadhurst took time out after equalling the course record of 64 at Le Meridien in the Portuguese Open to thank veteran Scottish coach Bob Torrance.

The defending champion's return to form in the first round coincided with a visit to Torrance last week. He felt he needed good advice about his poor form after missing the halfway cuts in the TCL Classic and the Singapore Masters.

Broadhurst said: "Bob is certainly not into the modern day swing. He uses Ben Hogan as his case study and that is right for me. He is not over technical and it is more about feel.

"I am no good at trying to put the club in certain places. It has to be flowing and I have to understand what I am doing. I have to work with what I have got and as long as I stick to certain guidelines I am okay."

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His secret in the opening round? "I just stood up and smashed the driver," he admitted.

The result was a fine display in good weather, although he was tested at the last. Broadhurst found the sand with his tee shot at the tricky ninth and hit his second to the side of the green. He then rolled a putt six feet past but kept his nerve to hole the return.

Broadhurst came home in 30 with the highlight a superb eagle three at the fifth. He said: "I holed some good putts, which is a nice feeling. I feel I can win this event again. I have just set the target of playing under par for the next three days. If I can do that I will be pretty close."

Christian Nilsson looked set to equal the course record as well but the Swede, who came through qualifying school, bogeyed the last.

Nilsson said: "The first nine I played well and did not miss a shot but on the way back I finished up in the rough a couple of times. It is so thick in places you can drop shots easily from there.

"I am pleased with the round, though. I have had a bad start to the season, so I have to make a few cuts and get some money in the bank."

Gary Murphy was best of the Irish on level par while Peter Lawrie and Michael Hoey returned one over 73s. Damien McGrane and David Higgins shot 74s. Stepehen Browne retired from the tournament.