Fasth hoping for dry day

Defending champion Niclas Fasth was among 60 players returning to Pula Golf Club to complete their first rounds - weather permitting – in the rain-affected Mallorca Classic today.

An afternoon thunderstorm which brought torrential rain for three-and-a-half hours meant half the field were unable to finish on schedule, Fasth lying one off the lead on three under par after seven holes.

Ireland’s Gary Murphy and South African Andrew McLardy shared the clubhouse lead on four under, one ahead of England’s Graeme Storm and Swede Joakim Backstrom. Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia, whose record in the event reads first-second-second, was a shot further back after a two-under-par 68.

Murphy and McLardy shared the first-round lead here 12 months ago as well, Murphy also leading after 36 and 54 holes only to fade to 13th with a closing 76.

The 35-year-old from Kilkenny was battling to keep his card then however, and now with that already secure for 2008 he is aiming for a top-two finish to qualify for next week’s season-ending Volvo Masters.

“My first round is always my best round here,” joked Murphy. “Apart from jumping on the ambulance for the last four holes last year I’ve had a bit of success here.

“After three-putting the 16th I’d lost my chance to win the tournament and just panicked on the last two holes, I was physically and mentally drained. It’s difficult to forget but I’ll try to.

“I’ve guaranteed a job for next year at least but I’ve got a lot of friends in the same position now as I was last year and it’s just horrible. All you can do is wish them the best.”

Only the top 118 on the Order of Merit on Sunday evening will retain their cards for next season, and former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart is among those fighting for their lives.

Coltart currently lies a lowly 169th but is 41st on the European Tour career money list. The top 40 in that category also earn a tour card and Coltart is just over £22,000 behind Seve Ballesteros.

Finishing 13th or better in Mallorca would save Coltart from a first visit to the dreaded qualifying school since 1993 and the the 37-year-old Scot kept his hopes alive with an opening 69.

That score was matched by Doncaster’s Ian Garbutt, currently 117th on the money list, while Swede Jarmo Sandelin – a team-mate of Coltart in 1999 – returned a level-par 70. Sandelin occupies 119th on the list, just £139 adrift of safety.