Ian Woosnam fired a six-under-par 66 to move into a provisional five-way tie for second place in the rain-delayed first round of the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open this morning.
The 43-year-old Welshman, winless in the last four years, had three birdies going out and three more coming back in to move within four strokes of New Zealander Michael Campbell who returned a 10-under-par 62 on the St Leon-Rot course south of Heidelberg on Thursday evening.
Only half of the 156-strong field were in action yesterday after a seven-hour rain delay, with the rest being required to open their accounts early today.
The second round was due to get under way late afternoon, but there was no prospect of it being completed before nightfall. Woosnam was among the early starters and others had yet to finish their first rounds.
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn would have gone even better than Woosnam but for a double bogey six at the 15th. He had seven birdies however for a 67.
Alongside Woosnam on 66 came an international quartet of European number one Lee Westwood, South African World number three Ernie Els, Argentine veteran Eduardo Romero and Australian journeyman Lucas Parsons - all of whom shot six-under 66s on Thursday.
Tiger Woods, on his 2001 European debut, came in with a disappointing 69, one better than playing partner Colin Montgomerie.
Woods and Montgomerie were due to start their second rounds tonight - which meant they were highly unlikely to get through the 18 holes.