STRAFFAN, Ireland, 1 July 2005 — The South African flag flew proudly in the European Open first round yesterday with Trevor Immelman setting the pace and defending champion Retief Goosen lying just a stroke behind.
Immelman, boosted by an improvement in his putting, edged in front of playing partner Goosen with a birdie at the last for a six-under-par 66.
On a day when new US Open champion Michael Campbell and last Sunday’s Barclay Classic winner Padraig Harrington struggled, Francois Delamontagne, who contended strongly last week for his home title in France, shared second place with Goosen after a 67.
Having failed to qualify for the US Open, Immelman took a two-week break from the European Tour to practice his putting at his Florida home.
The effort paid dividends as he reeled off seven birdies, including putts from 15 and 12 feet.
“When I checked the stats, I saw that I was more than one putt per round more than I have been for the previous two years,” said Immelman.
“I identified that as my weakness and so I wanted to put that right. I really putted well today and that certainly hasn’t been the trend this year.”
Immelman said he “looked up to guys like Goosen and Ernie (Els)”, but twice US Open champion Goosen, on this occasion, had to play second fiddle to his younger compatriot despite an eagle and three birdies on a faultless card.
Goosen, who won last year’s title on the K Club’s other course, showed he had recovered from his devastating final-round 81 in the US Open 11 days ago by enjoying a successful day on the greens with a new putter.
New Zealander Campbell had an indifferent start in his first tournament back since his two-shot triumph at Pinehurst, carding a two-over-par 74 and admitting his mind kept wandering back to North Carolina.
Home favorite Harrington has a mountain to climb if he is to go one better than his second place in 2002 after a 79.
“It was a day for a fight and I didn’t have any fight in me,” said a weary Harrington.
Briton Jonathan Lomas and Ireland’s Gary Murphy share fourth place on four-under-par 68.
