Des Smyth opened with a solid two-under-par 70 in the European Senior Tour's season finale the OKI Castellón Open Espana. The Drogheda mnative is four shots behind leaders Angel Fernandez of Chile and Italy's Costantino Rocca, who started the defence of his title with a flawless 66 that included an eagle three on the 13th hole.
Smyth posted four birdies and two bogeys at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo as he looks for a confidence boosting end to the season after deciding to concentrate on playing in Europe rather than America next year.
"I'm working hard on my game and my ball striking is better. I'm not putting well enough though. Today I played well but just didn't putt well enough," said Smyth, who is 23rd in the Order of Merit.
Argentine Horacio Carbonetti is a shot behind the leaders after a 67, while Order of Merit leader Ian Woosnam opened with a level-par 72, as did Eamonn Darcy. Denis O'Sullivan was two-over after a 74.
Leading first round scores (Par 72): 66A Fernandez (Chi), C Rocca (It); 67H Carbonetti (Arg); 68E Rodriguez (Sp), S Torrance (Sco), J Bruner (USA) ; R Drummond (Sco); 69A Murray (Eng), K Tomori (Jpn), D Hospital (Sp), B Cameron (Eng); 70J Rivero (Sp), D Smyth (Ire), C Mason (Eng), N Job (Eng). B Longmuir (Sco). Other Irish: 72E Darcy; 74D O'Sullivan.
