Darren Clarke returned to action at the Madrid Masters

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD:
GB & Ire unless stated
-7 JF Lucquin
-6 D Fichardt (SA), MA Martin (Spa)
-5 J Backstrom (Swe), R Gonzalez (Arg), P Harrington, G Orr, I Poulter
Selected:
-4 D Clarke
-1 JM Olazabal (Spa)

Darren Clarke carded an encouraging four-under-par 68 at the Madrid Masters in his first tournament since the death of his wife Heather.

Ryder Cup wildcard selection Clarke picked up five birdies in his round.

Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin leads after firing a 65 which leaves him one ahead of South African Darren Fichardt and Spain's Miguel Angel Martin.

Padraig Harrington was one of five players to shoot 67 while his Ryder Cup team-mate Jose Maria Olazabal hit a 71.

Tackle Darren Clarke's putting challenge

Ian Poulter, who missed out on a Ryder Cup place, joined Harrington on 67 while Thomas Bjorn, another man who was overlooked for a place in the European team, carded a 69.

"I was quite pleased to shoot 68. I played very well. I had 31 putts and hit 17 greens. I missed a lot of chances too but I played really well," said 38-year-old Clarke.

"I would not say there were butterflies on the tee. I am always a little bit apprehensive before playing any tournament round.

"It was important for me to shoot a good score my first time back. And I did that so it is always nice.

"As I said, I am not here to make up the numbers, I want to try to contend. I set myself a goal to play well and I did that."