An extraordinary log-jam developed on the Roman Road course with nine players sharing the lead in The Celtic Manor Wales Open and a further 13 players one stroke back at the end of the first day.
The nine in question – England’s Paul Broadhurst, Scotland's Paul Lawrie, Stephen O’Hara and Gary Orr, New Zealander Steve Alker and Australia's Brett Rumford, Spain’s José Manuel Lara, Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez and Dane Soren Kjeldsen , all came in with four under par 65s on day interrupted for two hours by torrential rain.
Scotland's Paul Lawrie, the 2002 Champion, again showed his liking for The Celtic Manor Resort, as he was the first to post a four under par 65.
Last week Anders Hansen won for the first time since 2002 and Lawrie could follow suit as his Celtic Manor Wales Open victory that year, achieved over the adjacent Wentwood Hills course, which is being prepared for The 2010 Ryder Cup, was also his last success.
“It is quite like back home for me, the weather is not that great but I don’t mind the bad weather,” said Lawrie. “I don’t wake up in the morning and wishing for it but when it comes It doesn’t bother me and I just get on with it. But I always nejoy coming here. The hotel is one of the nicest we stay in on Tour and I feel comfortable here. I’ve been beaten in a play-off and won here so I’ve got a good record.”
A trip to play Carnoustie on Monday, where he won The Open after a dramatic play-off eight years ago, put Lawrie in the right frame of mind to challenge for his sixth European Tour title.
"It had a good feel about it, playing Carnoustie," Lawrie said. "Now I'm wishing it could happen soon so we can get on with it." The Open starts at Carnoustie on July 19.
Rumford, looking for a third European Tour title, summed up his season with one word – inconsistency. Joint second in the Blue Chip New Zealand Open represents his best return of the 2007 season but he has lacked consistent form since then.
“My tournaments have been a grind, inconsistent. But I have been patient and waiting for it to turn. The real run starts now.”
Gonzalez almost finished his round before the delay but was called off the course as he walked to his second shot to the final hole. He returned two hours later to finish the hole and duly made par to also post a 65 as he chases his fourth European Tour title.
“It was annoying to wait two hours to play three shots,” quipped the Argentine.
“That’s the first time this year I haven’t made bogey in a round so that is very good news for me. I drove the ball well today which was the key.”
Kjeldsen by contrast did not start his first round until 3.50pm and, after bogeying the first two holes, certainly did not expect to find himself leading at the end of the day but that was exactly where he found himself.
Broadhurst bounced back from the disappointment of his final round in last week’s BMW PGA Championship to join the leading group. On a course where he opened with two 64s last year, the Englishman shot a 65 to add his name to the growing leading pack.
New Zealander Michael Campbell and local favourite Bradley Dredge of Wales are in the chasing pack a shot off the lead but tournament favourite and World Number Ten Retief Goosen shot a one over par 70.
