Robert Coles followed the example of Michael Campbell one week earlier by racing into a three stroke lead in the first round of the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open over the spectacular Wentwood Hills course at Celtic Manor Resort. Coles shot an eight under par 64 to move ahead of Iain Pyman, Ivo Giner and Mark James, whose 67s were one better than local favourite, Ian Woosnam.
Last Thursday, New Zealander Campbell created European Tour history by firing an opening 63 in the Compass Group English Open to take a record six shot advantage into the second day.
This time around, it was the turn of the 27 year old from Hornchurch in Essex to blaze a hot trail with an eight under par round of 64 which, had preferred lies not been in operation, would have constituted a course record.
Nevertheless it was a superb effort by Coles, currently 110th on the Volvo order of Merit, who had missed his last three cuts and only enjoyed one top ten finish this year in the Novotel Perrier Open de France.
He admitted: “I wouldn’t say this was quite in the Michael Campbell class. What he did in the first round last week was very impressive. Mine was nothing like that –but very enjoyable.”
It was Coles’ second 64 on the European Tour but his first eight under par. He said: “My other 64 was a seven under round at Hilversum in the Dutch open in 1997. I led after that round but finished about 20th.”
Coles’ change of luck is richly deserved. Just a matter of days before the 1998 Qualifying School he was involved in a head-on car crash in Spain. His friend, Darren Parker, received a broken arm and cuts while Coles initially believed he had escaped unhurt and played 24 holes at San Roque before withdrawing.
Unknown to him, two ribs had been fractured, as an X-ray revealed on his return to England. He explained: “It kept me out of the game for about five months.Over that winter I couldn’t do anything. All you can do with fractured ribs is rest. After a year mainly on the Challenge Tour I went back to the Tour School at the end of last year and got my card.”
Coles had eight birdies and no dropped shots in his round, while James, joint runner-up at Marriott Forest of Arden last week, started with a bogey but charged home in 31 - the best of the day - to get within three shots of Coles.
Late in the day, Yorkshireman Pyman moved alongside James, starting and finishing with three birdies before dashing back to his hotel to try to overcome the effects of flu.
A third player, Giner, from Spain, came home in 33 for a round of 67 as the field began to bunch behind Coles.
Woosnam, the local hero, kept the home fires burning with his 68 and said: "It doesn't worry me being favourite this week. It doesn't worry me. All I'm trying to do is shoot the best score I can and not embarrass myself.
"I haven't won a title for three years so it would be nice to end that lean spell by winning here."
Garbutt’s 68 contained no blemishes and four birdies. Garbutt admitted: “I’ve been a bit inconsistent this year but it’s getting better. My putting is improving.”
Hansen changed his clubs for this week and proved that a change is as good as a rest by firing five birdies and one bogey. He chipped in twice on his way round and said: “I’ve been playing well from tee to green this year but lately I’ve been really good around the greens.”
Roger Chapman, a tournament winner at last this year, moved into contention with a three under par 69 while Sandy Lyle, the two-time major winner, holed a good putt on the last to finish with a 70.
First round video highlights
