Bernhard Langer, who insists becoming Ryder Cup captain will not end his playing career, was out to prove a point in the Scandinavian Masters today.
The German succeeded Sam Torrance as European skipper last week after 10 appearances as a player. He also plans to follow Torrance onto the Seniors Tour in America but only after a few more years on the European and US tours.
This morning in Malmo, Langer, starting on the 10th hole, opened with a birdie. A bogey on the next dropped him back to level par but he birdied the par five-12th to get back into red figures.
At one under par, he is just two shots off the lead held by Swede Jarmo Sandelin, who also started on the 10th and opened with three straight birdies.
Ireland's Graeme McDowell, the defending champion, is playing alongside Langer and is level par. Last week's Irish Open winner Michael Campbell is on the same mark.
Dubliner Peter Lawrie has made a solid start to his round and is level par after six holes. Ronan Rafferty is one over par through 14 holes.
Damien McGrane (12.20 p.m.) and Paul McGinley (1.00 p.m.) have yet to tee-off.