Paul McGinley fired a brilliant six-under-par 67 to take the first-round lead in the Moroccan Open in Rabat yesterday. The Dubliner eagled his opening hole (the 10th), and added five more birdies and just one bogey for a one-shot advantage over the rest of the field at Dar Es Salam.

England's Neil Cheetham, Swede Michael Jonzon and America's Craig Hainline were all a stroke back on five under, with David Park of Wales and Englishman Sam Walker another stroke adrift.

But Philip Walton, after a fine start which saw him reach five-under-par after 12 holes, slipped back to a slightly disappointing 71. After a poor start, Paddy Gribben would be happy enough with his 72, while Gary Murphy could manage only a 75.

McGinley, who has his sights set on a Ryder Cup debut this year, lies 14th in the qualifying table after a consistent start to the season, making the cut in each of his first five events with a worst finish of 33rd.

A repeat of his form of last year, with eight top-10 finishes, could well get him close to an automatic spot in Sam Torrance's European team to face the US at the Belfry in September.

But the 34-year-old knows he has a long way to go before clinching a spot in the 12-man team that will attempt to regain the trophy lost in such controversial circumstances at Brookline.

"Being realistic about it I've probably only got one-quarter of the money I need (€266,000)," said McGinley. "It's way too early to start talking about it. I'm going to have to at least quadruple what I've earned till now.

"It's in the back of my mind, but the Ryder Cup's in September and I'm going to have to have a very big summer. It's going to be a huge amount of money to make the team this year.

"One thing is certain, whoever finishes 11th is not going to get the pick. Bottom line is you have to be in the top 10."

Of yesterday's round, McGinley added: "I hit a five-wood to about 20 feet on my first hole; it was a beautiful shot and a great way to start. I can't remember starting a round with an eagle.

"I hit a lot of greens and fairways and it was basically a good round of golf - 67 is a great score round this course. I can't remember playing a course as long as this (the impressive Robert Trent Jones lay-out measures 7,359 yards).

"I hit every club in the bag from driver through to putter and that's the sign of a good golf course."

Cheetham also enjoyed the challenge of the par-73 course, needing only 23 putts to card his seven birdies with just two bogeys preventing him from taking the lead.