Home, sweet home for Spaniards

THE sun shone but the wind swirled and Europe's finest once again found Valderrama a pretty difficult course to overcome in yesterday's first round of the Volvo Masters.

Only 12 of the elite 54-strong field broke the strict par of 71 and leading the way were two Spaniards, predictably the richly talented Sergio Garcia, and Jose Manuel Lara, who would hardly object to being described as a golfing journeyman. Both shot rounds of 67 and share the lead by a stroke from Scot Alistair Forsyth and England's Brian Davis.

Garcia's Ryder Cup team-mate Luke Donald is well placed after a 69 but otherwise it was not a day to remember for the heroes of Oakland Hills. The Irish Ryder Cup trio of Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley scored 72, 73 and 76 respectively while Graeme McDowell got round in 73.