Broadhurst takes lead at the K Club

Paul Broadhurst birdied the 18th to complete a five-under round of 67 at the European Open at the K Club in Co Kildare today.

He has a one-stroke advantage over Dutchman Maarten Lafeber.

Earlier Lee Westwood set the early clubhouse target with a superb three under par 69.

With the event having switched to the more exposed Smurfit Course, a stiff wind was presenting real problems for some – especially at the 578-yard 18th.

Justin Rose, after a promising start, took eight there, former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker a nine and Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam and Ian Poulter were among those to record sixes.

But Westwood got out of it with a par five and, having begun on the inward half, he then switched to the front nine and had a hat-trick of birdies from the second.

Two bogeys did follow, but the former European number one picked up another shot on the long seventh and said afterwards: “All in all I’m delighted. I kept it in play most of the time and putted well, which you have to do in the wind.

“I took last week off, got refreshed and hit it well on the driving range.”

Irish favourite Padraig Harrington tucked in just behind Westwood with a 70.

While Woosnam was another to miss out in the British Open qualifier, Montgomerie made it through in a play-off and commented: “June 28 was a very important day for me for a number of reasons.

“This game is 99% in the head and it’s given me something to build on.”

Retief Goosen, playing for the first time since his second US Open victory two weeks ago and admitting he would rather be having another week off, was among the later starters, as were Darren Clarke – debating whether to use a belly putter – and defending champion Phillip Price.