Dubliner Peter Lawrie was tipped as a 'value each way bet' for the BMW Championship in this morning's Irish Times and, based on the Dubliner's opening four-under 68 to claim the early lead at Wentworth, it appears to be sound advice.
Lawrie capped a fine round with a birdie four at the par five 18th, having carded five birdies in all, and with just the one dropped shot at the seventh he can afford to look forward to the weekend with confidence.
"If I can bring my good game to this golf course, hole a few putts, I don't see why I can't (contend)...if you play well, you're in with a shout come Sunday," Lawrie said yesterday.
"I might be worth a bet...maybe an each way," added the 32-year-old, who has made seven of his last eight cuts and was quoted at odds of 150/1 with Paddy Power at the start of play today. He has since come in to 40/1 in the 'betting in running'.
A bunch of players are in pursuit of Lawrie on three under, including last week's controversial figure Kenneth Ferrie, who accused Paul McGinley of gamesmanship at the Nissan Irish Open at Carton House.
Padraig Harrington opted to miss this tournament for many years because he didn't like the roll on the old-fashioned poa annua greens on the West Course at this time of the year. However, this year he has made a steady start with one birdie, one bogey on the front nine before moving one-under with a birdie at the 13th. He has three holes left to play.
After a double bogey six at the seventh Graeme McDowell rallied well to come back in two under to sign for an opening 71. The Portrush pro could do with a run in a tournament to kick-start his season. And what better place that the European Tour's flagship event.
Gary Murphy and club pro Stephen Hamill both opened with one over 73s and Hamill may feel somewhat disappointed with his round given that he opened with three birdies in his opening four holes.
Damien McGrane couldn't bring the form to Wentworth which won him the Charity Pro-am at Slieve Russell this week as the Meath professional was three over through 11.
Darren Clarke and Brendan MCGovern are among the afternoon starters.
