Owen leads the way

England’s Greg Owen, controversially denied a place in the Open last year, today claimed the early lead in the first round at Hoylake.

Owen carded a five-under par 67 to establish a new course record and take a one-shot lead over an eight-strong group in the clubhouse including Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els, Mike Weir and Jim Furyk.

Londoner Anthony Wall was also four under after 10 holes while Lee Westwood continued his return to form with a 69, but Ryder Cup team-mates Paul Casey and Luke Donald had to settle for rounds of 72 and 74 respectively.

Colin Montgomerie birdied the first but was one over with three to play, alongside Seve Balleteros who had six holes remaining.

It is not the first time Owen has led the Open. He headed the field after 35 holes at Lytham in 2001 and also had an albatross two on the 11th hole in the third round before finishing 23rd.

The 34-year-old from Mansfield has not played in the event since 2003 however, and was furious at missing out at St Andrews 12 months ago.

When he withdrew from international qualifying in America he had no idea that that meant he was withdrawing from the Open itself. But that was how it was interpreted by the Royal and Ancient Club and so when a place became available off the world rankings he was overlooked.

“They sit there and discuss it over a glass of port and then make it law,” Owen raged at the time.

“We are professional golfers trying to make a living and we are relying on people making decisions who should not be making them.”

He did later send a letter of apology for his choice of words, but it did not change how he felt. “They were messing with my career – that’s the R&A, I’m afraid.”

Ironically, Owen qualified for Hoylake when the same qualifying event was cancelled due to bad weather and told PA Sport at the Scottish Open last week: “It was lucky how I got back into the Open, but it’s justice I believe.”

As for today’s round, which featured six birdies and one bogey, Owen commented: “I’ve been looking forward to this for a while now after missing the last two years and I’m taking my opportunities.

“I dropped a shot on the 12th but that kicked me into gear again and there’s going to be some birdie chances on the last few holes this week. I really enjoy it, you can’t play in a better atmosphere.”

Australian Marcus Fraser, in the second group out at 7.11am after a 30-minute delay due to the threat of further thunderstorms, had set the early target on four under and was quickly joined by South Korean SK Ho and Finland’s Mikko Ilonen – winner of the Amateur championship here in 2000.

Mark Hensby also carded a 68 after a remarkable recovery. The Australian ran up a triple bogey seven on the third after hitting his second shot out of bounds, but birdied six of the next eight holes and had nine birdies in all.

Garcia, fifth at St Andrews last year and ninth in the Scottish Open on Sunday, shrugged off a warning from officials about slow play to card five birdies and just one bogey and said: “I’m pretty happy with that. My form is starting to come back.

“It could have been a little better and the course was pretty comfortable with the overnight rain and not a lot of wind.”

Westwood is also enjoying a return to form as he attempts to play his way into the Ryder Cup team for the K Club in September.

“I’ve been lacking confidence,” admitted Westwood. “Between the US Masters and three weeks ago I’d missed seven cuts in a row and been making a mess of it on the greens.

“A 69 is a lot better mentally than 70-odd and I made the most of the par fives, that’s where you make the most of your score.”

Darren Clarke is currently best of the Irish on three under par, while Padraig Harrington is struggling on two over par.

Europe's number one David Howell was left frustrated after a double-bogey seven at the 18th hole.

Howell paid the price for hitting a poor tee shot and finished on two over.

He said: “I played awfully but I hung in there as well as I could.

“One under would have been only respectable had I birdied the last instead.

“I cannot do any worse than that and I am a long way behind.

“My game is in there somewhere and hopefully it will come out tomorrow. If not I will be on my way home.”

Owen was overtaken at the top of the leaderboard when Wall fired his second eagle of the day on the 16th, his approach finishing just inches from the hole.

That took the 31-year-old to six under par, one ahead of Owen and seven clear of Montgomerie who signed for a disappointing 73.

“I missed too many opportunities on the greens,” said Montgomerie, who spent two hours working on his putting on the 13th green on Monday evening.

“I didn’t hit the ball hard enough.

“I think I was a bit over-cautious but, at the same time, you don’t want to attack so much because you can make bogeys. I had better get it going now. I’m thinking a 66 tomorrow to get back into this thing.”

Defending champion Tiger Woods and three-time winner Nick Faldo were just starting their rounds, and exchanged a quick handshake on the first tee.

Much of the build-up this week had been dominated by the “feud” between the pair after Faldo’s criticism of Woods’ swing on TV last year, but they had also shaken hands on the practice range yesterday and looked amicable enough in the afternoon sunshine.