The British Masters: shots of the day

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD: (GB & Ire unless stated) -5 M Fraser (Aus), M Lundberg (Swe) -4 R Echenique (Arg), A Hansen (Den), S Walker, M Warren, L Westwood; -3 T Bjorn (Den), M Campbell (NZ), D Dixon, M Ilonen (Fin), Paul Lawrie, G Owen, M Singh (Ind)

Lee Westwood marked his return from the Ryder Cup with a round of 68 to sit one shot off the lead at the British Masters at the Belfry.

The defending champion, aiming to make up ground in the European Order of Merit, hit four birdies and two bogies to finish on four under par.

Ryder Cup team-mate Graeme McDowell shot a 72 but Darren Clarke recorded an 80 and Colin Montgomerie an 81.

Australia's Marcus Fraser and Swede Mikael Lungberg lead on five under.

With fellow European Ryder Cup players Padraig Harrington, Robert Karlsson and Miguel Angel Jimenez all resting this week, Westwood can close on the trio who all lie ahead of him in the money list.

Westwood is the defending champion at the British Masters

"I was in a good frame of mind out there," said Westwood, who won the Order of Merit in 2000.

"Yesterday I was flat and a bit jet-lagged and even today (during) the last four holes my legs were shot but I'm the defending champion and want to win here.

"This week is a brand new week. I enjoy playing here and it suits my game and the Order of Merit is all to play for. This week means a lot to me."

McDowell had a mixed round and said he needed to focus better to challenge the leaders.

"I wanted to get back to reality and put the shine on a good season but I was lacking a bit of concentration at times," said the Northern Irishman.

England's Sam Walker, Scotland's Marc Warren, Argentina's Rafa Echenique and Dane Anders Hansen all sit alongside Westwood on four under while Thomas Bjorn, Michael Campbell and Scot Paul Lawrie are a shot further back in a group on five under par.

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