In-form McGrane shoots 65 at favourite course

Damien McGrane found one of the shortest routes around the shortest course on this year’s European Tour schedule to be trailing the leader by just one stroke on the first day of the KLM Open at Kennemer Golf Club, Zandvoort, the Netherlands.

McGrane holed a 25-foot putt for eagle at the 12th and grabbed five birdies in a five-under-par 65 in what was his lowest round this season.

Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, who won the event nine years ago, leads on six under par with McGrane among six right on the tail of the Spaniard. Already the oldest winner in European Tour history, Jimenez could improve his own record. Jimenez, who broke his leg in a skiing accident last December shortly after winning the Hong Kong Open aged 48 and 318 days, fired eight birdies and two bogeys to card an opening 64.

This year marks McGrane’s 10th KLM Open with five appearances apiece now on the Dutch coastline here at Zandvoort and five at Hilversum closer to Amsterdam.

However McGrane’s best showing has always been at Kennemer, where the event has returned for a first time in four years.

He was third on his debut in 2006 and then fourth three years later and in each of those years McGrane shot scores of 64.

“I’ve got good memories playing here at Kennemer and needless to day after this good start I am looking forward to a good week again this year,” he said.

“I just like coming here as it’s a great links-style golf course and in such fantastic condition after all the rain we’ve had the past few days.”

The highlight of McGrane’s round was a 25-foot putt for eagle at the par five 12th hole.

Paul McGinley birdied his last to post a 68 and one fewer than fellow Irishman and playing partner, Shane Lowry.

Pádraig Harrington birdied his closing two holes in a round of a one- over-par 71 but then was involved in a 15-minute discussion with Tour rules official, Mark Litton, over slow play midway in his round.

Harrington had been on the 10th hole when a flash downpour hit the course, resulting in the triple Major winner taking a triple bogey seven.

There was a lot of finger-pointing on the part of Litton and a lot of talking from Harrington but with the rules official indicating Harrington was not at fault, and this despite a caddy to another player complaining of the Irishman “taking ages” to play his shots.

And Harrington has welcomed Darren Clarke’s return to playing full time later this year on the PGA Tour.

Despite a wretched two years since his Sandwich success, Clarke is taking advantage of a five-year PGA Tour exemption he earned in capturing the 2011 British Open Championship.

“It’s great to see Darren coming back to the PGA Tour so with his exemption he can now choose wisely and play the best golf courses on both tours and make it work,” said Harrington. “It’s good to see him taking this move as it’s a good sign where he’s at.”