Paul McGinley's bid to ensure automatic Ryder Cup qualification got off to a decidedly underwhelming start at the BMW International Open in Munich today, a three-over par 75 doing him no favours whatsoever.

The silver lining for the Dubliner, currently occupying 10th in the standings, is that his main rivals for the last qualifying spot were unable to make any real headway either.

Johan Edfors and Paul Broadhurst both went round in level par while John Bickerton was one-over after his first round. And with all three needing to either win the event or finish in at least the top three, all is certainly not lost for McGinley at this stage.

England's David Howell signalled the end of a three-month loss of form when he closed with an eagle to take a share of the first-round lead on five-under alongside Gary Evans, Welshman Garry Houston and Swede Martin Erlandsson.

All but Howell, the holder of this title, are seeking their first victories on the circuit.

In the battle for the last three spots in Ian Woosnam's side, Colin Montgomerie became a central figure in the drama - not just by how he played, but also by what he said.

Like Howell the Scot is already in the team, but his two-under 70 puts him on course to achieve the top-47 finish that would put the absent Jose Maria Olazabal in danger of missing out.

Montgomerie said after hearing that tiredness was one of the reasons for the Spaniard's decision not to make the trip: "There's a long winter to be tired. I am very surprised not to see him here. If I was in his position I would be.

"I think the team's weaker without him and I feel for Ian (Woosnam) in a way if he has another problem with picking."

McGinley, out of bounds for a double-bogey seven on the sixth, was the one who had cause to be most pleased about Montgomerie's round. If Olazabal drops to 10th in the table he moves up to ninth and two others would have to go past him to deny him a third cap.

The biggest danger to Olazabal could yet be Thomas Bjorn. The Dane cannot catch McGinley, but he can catch the twice Masters champion by winning, and with a one-under 71 that is still a possibility.

Woosnam played with Howell and Luke Donald and could only be delighted by what he saw, although whether he was is not known because he did not want to speak afterwards.

Donald was the star of the threeball for most of the day and posted a 68, but Howell suddenly stole the show with a birdie-birdie-eagle finish.

After three months of sub-standard golf by the level he now expects himself to perform at the Swindon golfer was delighted, especially by the eagle - he had not had one since the Qatar Masters in January.

A drive and 263-yard three-wood to eight feet brought it about and Howell said: "They were two of the purest shots I've hit in a long time.

"My poor form came as a bit of a shock and it would be nice to challenge for a tournament again. If the ball's not going where you want it to it's hard to be confident, but this is my first title defence for seven years and I'd like to make a good fist of it."

Padraig Harrington, paired with McGinley, came into the week not totally certain of his cup place. But after a 70 he is not sweating like his fellow Dubliner.