Seve struggles as Clarke shoots opening 64

SEVE BALLESTEROS admitted that nerves got the better of him yesterday at the start of his first European Tour event for almost two years.

The 48-year-old scored a six-over-par 77 in the first round of the Madrid Open. It left him close to last place and a massive 14 shots adrift of pacesetters Mark Roe and Robert Karlsson.

“The problem was the first three holes. I didn’t feel comfortable and was a bit tense,” said Ballesteros, returning on the same Club de Campo course where he had his last win 10 years ago.