Andrew Coltart's Ryder Cup debut last September may have lasted only 16 holes - but if he had played them anything like the way he played yesterday people would still be talking about it.

The 29-year-old Scot, kept on the sidelines in Boston for two days and then beaten by Tiger Woods, is a shot off the lead after an opening 67 at the Greg Norman Holden International in Sydney.

But that does not tell the story, for with eight holes to play at The Lakes Coltart was nine behind Bournemouth's Gary Emerson and Dutchman Maarten Lafeber.

Emerson had covered the last six holes in six under par, and Lafeber the last five in four under.

Yet Coltart did even better. He had a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th, drilled a six-iron to eight feet for an eagle at the 14th, made a 22-footer for a two on the next and then matched Emerson's eagle at the 17th after a two-iron to 15 feet. That was eight under for seven holes.

"I normally only have two eagles in a season, so that was an unexpected bonus," he said.

Paul McGinley and Padraig Harrington got off to steady starts. McGinley fired a two-under-par 71, while Harrington came in with a 72.

Collated scores after the first round of the Greg Norman Holden International at The Lakes, Sydney, Australia, today (Gbr and Irl unless stated, par 73):

Meanwhile, in the US, the Monterey Peninsula reverted to type as yesterday's first round of the ATT Pro-Am began at Pebble Beach, when, after two gloriously sunny days on Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday dawned with ominous skies and winds gusting to 35 m.p.h. straight off the Pacific Ocean.

Bray's Keith Nolan, starting from the 10th tee on the Pebble Beach links, was on the most exposed portion of the golf course. He paid a heavy price and was four over par after seven holes when play was suspended for the night.