GOLF:THERE WAS a strong Irish representation at the top of the leaderboard after the opening day of the €3 million Andalucia Valderrama Masters, where Graeme McDowell and Damien McGrane spearhead the home charge.

US Open champion McDowell and US PGA champion Martin Kaymer were paired in one of the marquee groups, with the former coming out on top in the initial tussle in Spain.

Other than trying to win, the major-winning pair also have other agendas to contend with.

McDowell is attempting to make inroads on Kaymer’s considerable lead in the Race to Dubai standings, while the German has the chance to assume Tiger Woods’ mantle as the number one player in the world rankings.

Kaymer has over €3 million in European Tour earnings, with McDowell the best part of €1 million behind in second. This week’s €500,000 winner’s cheque would make a fair dent in the battle between two of Europe’s leading players.

As for the world rankings, Kaymer would go number one if he wins or finishes second alongside no more than one other player. If not, then Lee Westwood, who is sidelined with a recurring calf injury, will become the new world number one and dislodge Woods after 281 consecutive weeks at the top.

McDowell carded a bogey-free, three-under 68 to be just two shots off the overnight lead held by Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, while Kaymer could only manage 72 on the notoriously difficult Sotogrande layout.

Larrazabal fired a flawless 66 and opened up his lead courtesy of two late birdies at 16 and 17.

McDowell bookended his round with birdie threes, and also took advantage of the par-five fourth.

“I had to scramble a lot out there today,” he said. “My back nine was very good, hit a lot of fairways and a lot of good irons.

“The 18th is a perfect example of how this course can catch you out, five yards off line and you could find yourself behind a tree.

“That said, I love this golf course, I love Valderrama,” added McDowell, who hasn’t given up the ghost of catching Kaymer and becoming Europe’s number one in what has already been a stellar year for the Portrush pro.

“Playing with Martin has been great, I figured I might be seeing a bit of him over the next few weeks. He’s the form player and the guy to catch (on the European Order of Merit). The last three months he has been playing phenomenal golf and has been virtually unbeatable.

“I’ve got a lot of golf ahead of me yet. I’ll have to play my best golf to catch him – even then my best may not be enough,” added G-Mac, who has €2,138,866 compared to Kaymer’s bulging European Tour balance of €3,134,447.

“We’re both heading to Shanghai and Singapore over the next couple of weeks so I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other.”

Kaymer was typically unflustered after his round. “It wasn’t that bad a round and it’s not the end of the world,” said the 25-year-old. “I’ve got a lot to think about – not only being world number one but the Race to Dubai. So it’s important on this course not to give up. You have to stay patient and that’s what I did after making three bogeys (in a row from the 11th).”

McGrane joined McDowell in a share of second after he too carded a flawless, three-birdie round of 68.

Gareth Maybin was next of the eight-strong Irish contingent, tied fourth on two under, while Michael Hoey sneaked under par and was well-placed after a 70.

Hoey was joined in the chasing pack by a couple of Ryder Cup players, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Francesco Molinari, plus vice captain in Wales Sergio Garcia.

Darren Clarke and Peter Lawrie matched Kaymer’s 72 with the Irishmen enduring contrasting fortunes. Clarke was ragged throughout, and though he picked up five birdies, they were outweighed by six bogeys.

In Lawrie’s case he will look back on a day that could have been, for he was leading the tournament at one stage. The Dubliner fired out of the blocks with three consecutive birdies, before momentum stalled with a bogey at the fourth. But he was back leading the tournament on three under after a birdie at the 10th.

However, double-bogeys at the 14th and 17th quickly brought the 36-year-old back down to earth.

Shane Lowry and Paul McGinley have plenty of ground to make up after shooting 73 and 74 respectively.