Dougherty hit seven birdies on his first round in Madrid

Englishman Nick Dougherty finished one shot ahead of the field after carding a six-under-par 66 on a rain-hit first round at the Spanish Open.

Dougherty edged ahead of compatriot Stuart Little, France's Gregory Bourdy and Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen.

But he completed the final eight holes on his own after injuries forced playing partners Peter Hedblom and Jose Manuel Lara to withdraw.

Dougherty, 24, said: "One of my flaws is I rush, so it was good for me."

Sweden's Hedblom pulled out before the start because of rib trouble with Lara quitting what was intended to be a three-ball after 10 holes because of an ankle problem.

Yet Dougherty didn't mind seeing out the rest of the round on his own. He said: "I quite enjoyed it, to be honest."

"I slowed down everything - the way I walked, the way I talked and I was detailed in my preparation for every shot."

In fact injury and illness proved a key factor in the standings after day one in Madrid.

Devon's left-hander Little did not know he was playing until just before the start on Thursday when fellow Englishman Anthony Wall withdrew because of ill-health.

He took advantage of his late call to finish five-under-par after chipping in for a birdie on the last.

"On Tuesday morning I was only fourth reserve," Little said. "But then suddenly it was first reserve and that made it an easy decision to come.

"I was up at the course at first light to see if anybody pulled out and luckily for me Anthony Wall did."