Wales Open:Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn — high on Colin Montgomerie's wanted list as Ryder Cup vice-captains — would love nothing more than to force him into finding someone else .

And on today’s evidence in the Wales Open at next year’s cup venue Celtic Manor the two still have it in their power to qualify for the side.

Bjorn, out-scoring American captain and playing partner Corey Pavin by six, opened with a five-under-par 66 to share the lead with England’s Nick Dougherty, Scot Alan McLean and 49-year-old South African David Frost.

McGinley, meanwhile, hit back from a triple bogey seven on his second hole and signed for a 68.

“If I don’t make the team I am happy to help, but if I am then I will obviously play,” said 38-year-old Bjorn, whose last appearance was in the 2002 victory at The Belfry.

McGinley was the match-winner that week and was also part of the victorious next two sides, but missed out last year.

With an eye on next year’s attempt to win back the Ryder Cup Montgomerie has made the pair captains for this September’s Vivendi Trophy — the old Seve Trophy — between a Continental Europe side and one from Britain and Ireland.

But McGinley feels exactly the same as the Dane about his number one cup goal.

“I really want to make the team,” said the 42-year-old, who stood down as an assistant to Nick Faldo because he felt it was a distraction to his playing career.

“I think Monty is going to be a great captain and I would love to play under him.

“Monty is going to announce who his vice-captains are going to be after qualifying finishes. Obviously he’s picked myself and Thomas to be involved in the Vivendi and I don’t think you have to put one and one together.

“I’m obviously in his mind somewhere in terms of those four people he’s going to have, but I’m a lot more comfortable trying to make the team this year and whatever happens after that happens.

“That’s when I’ll be able to make a decision, but in the meantime it’s gung-ho trying to make the team.”

While Montgomerie’s 69 this afternoon kept him in the hunt for a first top-10 finish for almost a year, Pavin said he got what he deserved.

His round included a lost ball on the driveable 15th and he commented: “The course tests everything, but I just wasn’t sharp.”

Dougherty, who finished fourth in the event last year, played a magnificent chip at the last for his fifth birdie and then recalled the great times he had at the venue with his mother, who died suddenly just over a year ago.

“I love it here. She was Welsh and I’ve found the Welsh people very receptive to me.”

Frost is trying to become the oldest winner in Tour history. All set to switch to the US Seniors Tour in September, he did not drop a stroke either.

Glasgow-born McLean, a 38-year-old who took up the game seriously only after National Service in South Africa, birdied two of the last four holes to make it a four-way tie.

Irish Open winner Shane Lowry, playing his second professional event after becoming just the third amateur to win a European Tour title, was heading for a second successive missed cut following a six over 77.

“Horrendous,” he said. “I don’t know what happened — I was in about 10 bunkers and it’s very difficult when you are doing that.”

Peter Lawrie carded a two-under 69, while Jonathan Caldwell and Gary Murphy signed for one-over 73s. Michael Hoey was a shot further back. Damien McGrane had three double bogeys in a four over 75.

European Open winner Christian Cevaer did not even complete his round. Five over after 12 holes the Frenchman quit because of dizziness and stated: “The last few days have taken a terrible toll on me physically and mentally.

“I’ve hardly slept since Sunday due to a combination of my win and (management) problems off the course, which are causing me a lot of stress and turmoil.

“I couldn’t do anything and I’ll take a well-deserved rest now before coming back for the Open qualifying at Sunningdale on Monday.”

He left just before playing partner Pablo Larrazabal had a hole-in-one on the 192-yard seventh — last Saturday the Spaniard had a sextuple bogey nine on a par three at the London Club.

Indian Jeev Milkha Singh produced the day’s second ace on the 196-yard 13th and then Dane Mads Vibe-Hastrup followed Larrazabal in.

It is only the fourth time in European Tour history that three aces have come in the same round.