Sam Torrance equalled the European Tour record for the least number of putts in a round in a opening 66, six under par, to take the lead in the Compaq European Grand Prix. Torrance needed just 20 putts – eight on the back nine after a hole-in-one on the 14th – to lead Spain’s Francisco Cea by one at De Vere Slaley Hall.
It was the European Ryder Cup captains third hole-in-one on the European Tour in his 630th event. This year he has been playing a reduced schedule but he said: "That's been coming for a while," he added. "I played well in Wales from tee to green but my chipping was poor but I've done a lot of work on it."
There were plenty of fireworks coming from the other members of Torrance's group as well, Kent's Peter Mitchell holing his 220-yard second shot with a four iron on the 11th for an albatross and Australian Lucas Parsons inches away from winning a car for a hole-in-one on the 17th.
Two shots off the lead were Ryder Cup team-members Lee Westwood and Andrew Coltart one four under while Darren Clarke, the current leader of the Volvo Order of Merit, was a further shot adrift after a 69.
Open champion Paul Lawrie, in his first competitive outing for almost a month after a groin injury,
Shot a 77 but was pleased to feel no pain from the injury as he warms up for the defence of his title at St Andrews next month.
"I didn't come here with high expectations and I know it will take a while but at least there is no pain," Lawrie said.
Former amateur star Adam Scott made a creditable start to his professional career with a level-par 72 while 17-year-old Zane Scotland, still in the unpaid ranks, carded a 75.
