Garry Houston paid tribute to Ryder Cup winner Thomas Bjorn for inspiring the Welshman’s seven-under-par 63 opening round at the Hong Kong Open.

Justin Rose needs a top-two finish in the Portugal Masters which starts tomorrow to take the lead in the European Tour Order of Merit race.

Paul Casey is determined to make up for the disappointment of missing out on the European Tour Order of Merit last year by getting 2007 off to a successful start at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Injury-prone David Howell pulled out of today’s pro-am on the eve of the Volvo Masters at Valderrama, the event which will decide whether he wins the European tour Order of Merit.