FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-9 B Rumford (Aus) -8 S Dyson (Eng) -6 T Jaidee (Tha), MA Jimenez (Sp), C Nilsson (Swe), A Noren (Swe), A Romero (Arg), D Willett (Eng)-5 J Edfors (Swe), M Fraser (Aus), P McGinley (Ire), C Wood (Eng) Selected others: -4 R McIlroy (NI) -3 G McDowell (NI) Level L Westwood (Eng)
 Rumford carded nine birdies and an eagle in his 62 |
Brett Rumford carded a stunning 62 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the European Masters. The 32-year-old Australian, who won this title in 2007, recovered after hitting a female spectator just above the eye with his opening drive. He dropped shots at the 4th and 5th but then went on a stunning run, playing the last 13 holes in 11 under par. England's Simon Dyson is one behind while Miguel Angel Jimenez and Andres Romero are in the group on six under. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who will go top of the European money list with victory on Sunday, started well with a birdie and an eagle but ended up carding a four-under 67. Compatriot Graeme McDowell is a stroke further back while England's Lee Westwood is level par. Rumford's wayward drive at the 1st led to the spectator being taken away for treatment with blood streaming down her face.  | 606: DEBATE |
"I got off to a shaky start in more ways than one," he said. "It was not nice. You feel really bad for the lady, but there's really nothing you can do. "I've not spoken to her yet and I didn't even see her at the time. It was her eyebrow I'm told - if it had been her temple a couple of inches away it could have been really bad. "At that point I wasn't thinking a nine-under score was on the cards but momentum started swinging in the right direction and I got the putter running hot." The spectator was released after having stitches, but was advised to have a check-up with her doctor on Friday. Rumford put the incident behind him to produce a stunning finish, carding nine birdies and an eagle. The 62 would have equalled the Swiss Crans-sur-Sierre course record but for the fact that placing of the ball was allowed on the wet fairways. "I've no idea where that came off," he added. "When I won here I played great golf, but today I just got my putter running." | I didn't get back to the races, but I hit a lot of good shots that didn't get rewarded |
Dyson, winner of the KLM Open in the Netherlands two weeks ago, hit eagles at the 1st and 15th in his 63. The European Masters is the first qualifying event for the Ryder Cup and the 31-year-old says he is in the right frame of mind to try and make Colin Montgomerie's team. "I think I should have got a lot closer than I have," he said. "It's the ultimate - the one every professional wants to play in. "It's huge now I've won a few times, but it never crossed my mind once while I was out there playing. "This is a very mental game and when you get a win it does wonders for your mental state. I'm as confident as I've ever been." Westwood, joint third with McIlroy in the US PGA last time out, was not surprised with his slow start as he has spent the last two weeks on holiday in Portugal. "I didn't get back to the races, but I hit a lot of good shots that didn't get rewarded," he said.
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