Pettersson’s dream debut

Swede Carl Pettersson - who turned down the chance to play in the Open last year - marked his belated debut by taking a share of the first-round lead at Muirfield today.

But it could have been even better for the 24-year-old North Carolina-based player. He was five under and ahead on his own before he bogeyed the last.

Pettersson could have played at Lytham 12 months ago after winning the 2000 European amateur championship.

But he decided not to delay turning professional and is already a winner on the European tour. He beat David Gilford in a play-off for the Portuguese Open in April after the event had been cut to 36 holes because of high winds.

‘‘It feels great to lead, and I’m not really disappointed about the bogey at the end,’’ he said.

‘‘I pulled my tee shot a little bit left, and that’s going to happen throughout a tournament. I’m worried, and there’s a long way to go.

‘‘I’m better off than being five or six over, so I’m extremely happy.’’