A delegation from the Ryder Cup committee visits Loch Lomond today to determine its suitability to stage the 2009 event. If yesterday's events are anything to go by, then they had better bring their wellies, waterproofs and umbrellas.

Heavy overnight rain forced a rain delay of just over four hours but it did not prevent the US Open champion Retief Goosen from posting a nine-under-par 62, matching the course record he set in 1997, to take the early first-round lead. Australia's Jarrod Moseley and Elliot Boult of New Zealand were two strokes behind.

Paul McGinley did well to be four under after 12 holes, while Darren Clarke was two under after 14. Both players must finish their first rounds early this morning.

Of the Irish players who completed their rounds Michael Hoey shot 71, while David Higgins and Eamonn Darcy both shot 74s..

Conditions were so bad that competitors were allowed preferred lies. That alone should discount Loch Lomond from even getting a sniff at the 2009 match. If the course is not perfect in mid-July, what chance does it have at the end of September?

About as much chance as last year's soggy Solheim Cup.

Goosen is revelling in the renewed confidence which last month's US Open victory has given him. He even had the magic figure of 59 in mind after a birdie at the 12th hole moved him to nine under. However, he immediately bogeyed the par-five 13th after a poor drive.

"I am a lot more confident out there now," admitted Goosen. "You sort of realise you can play under pressure conditions."

The South African has finished fourth, 10th, and third here in three of the last four years. He puts that down to feeling comfortable on the golf course.

"It's a great golf course and a great design. Some courses you just blend into. You've got to like a course to play well on it."

Boult and Mosley also seem happy on Loch Lomond's slippery slopes, with both hoping to secure one of the 15 spots still available for next week's Open. Boult, in particular, was delighted at his start, as he was only called up when defending champion Ernie Els pulled out with a back injury on Monday. "I've got Ernie's locker, so hopefully play like him. It's a good omen."

Late starter Thomas Bjorn lies in fourth, but the wet conditions only allowed the Dane to complete six holes. After eagling the third he birdied the next three holes to finish on five under.

The world number one Tiger Woods is nowhere near Loch Lomond this week, but he is very much on the minds of the New Zealand players in the field. The Kiwis are threatening to boycott next year's New Zealand Open because the organisers have pushed up ticket prices to help cover Woods's £1.6million sterling appearance fee.

A season ticket for the 2002 New Zealand Open has been set at $NZ500. Last year it was $NZ50, and the New Zealand pros feel the price is too high. Michael Campbell, New Zealand's top golfer, was the first to threaten a boycott.

"There needs to be a few issues resolved before I will play the New Zealand Open," he said. "I think it's totally disgusting that they are charging so much money, because $NZ500 is a lot of money to the average New Zealander. It means the season ticket is roughly £150. That's £40 more than the £110 the R& is charging for next week's Open Championship."

Hal Sutton yesterday pulled out of next week's British Open.