Players provide tonic for Sam
Torrance pulled out before the start of play in Cologne with a back injury that also forced him to withdraw from the BMW International Open two weeks ago in Munich.
But the 49-year-old Scot could take some comfort from the performance of his team members chasing the £315,000 first prize, eight of the nine competing this week finishing under par and three shaking off injury worries.
Colin Montgomerie felt no pain from the back injury that has plagued him all season as he fired a 71 on his return to action after a three-week lay-off, and Padraig Harrington was similarly happy with his recovery from an ankle problem after a 69.
Thomas Bjorn shrugged off concern over the neck injury that saw him withdraw from Wednesday’s pro-am after three holes as he stormed home in 29 to card a 67, and Lee Westwood was unlucky not to score better than 70.
Only Welshman Phillip Price was over par after a 73 that left him nine shots behind the leader Stephen Leaney, the Australian carding a superb 64 for a one-shot lead over European number one Retief Goosen.
Westwood, who has slumped to 133rd in the world rankings, picked up two birdies and an eagle but dropped a shot on the 17th after driving into the water and saw his birdie putt from six feet on the last slip agonisingly by.
“I played well apart from one bad shot on the 17th and I could have shot 65,” the 29-year-old, without a win in two years, said.
“It’s typical that I shot 70 but when you are not playing well and trying to turn it around it keeps trying to kick you when you are down.
“But I feel like I am in control of my game and I can aim at the flags.”
Leaney credited a new putting routine for his flawless eight-birdie round that proved his game is in good shape ahead of his attempt to gain his US Tour card in November.
Leaney could also qualify for next week’s American Express Championships in Ireland by moving into the top 20 on the order of merit at the end of the week, and said: “I had planned to go home but that will change if I make it. But there is a long way to go.”
Goosen is already assured of his place in next week’s star-studded line-up at Mount Juliet, but has his sights set on overhauling fellow South African Ernie Els to retain his crown as European number one. The former US Open champion is currently just over £300,000 behind Els, but could wipe out that deficit with victory and the £315,000 first prize on Sunday.
“The next three weeks are the most important ones to try and win the order of merit and I will be trying my best,” said Goosen, who chipped in from 30 yards for an eagle on the seventh in his 65.
“I’m keen to keep my title and I would like to play well enough to make Ernie come back after the US Tour championship to play in the Volvo Masters, it would be nice if that was the decisive tournament.”
Bjorn lipped out for a hole in one on the 11th and picked up four more birdies and an eagle in his brilliant back nine of 29.
“I hit some fantastic shots on the back nine, my game is so close at the moment and when I get in the right frame of mind I can shoot some low numbers,” added Bjorn, who won the BMW International Open in Munich two weeks ago.
“My neck is a little bit stiff but I’m not worried about it. I’ve got the right people (physio Dale Richardson) here this week and the next two weeks and as long as I get my treatment I will keep it under control.
“Pulling out of the pro-am was just as a precaution.”
Wales’ Mark Pilkington, playing in the final group, managed to claim a share of second place as darkness descended, with birdies at four of his last six holes to card a 65.
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