DIAGEO CHAMPIONSHIP: With most of Europe's stars turning their thoughts to next week's US Open, Paul McGinley had the chance to boost his Ryder Cup hopes at Gleneagles yesterday. And it was an opportunity the Dubliner took as he opened the Diageo Championship with a four-under-par 68 to be only one behind early clubhouse leaders Nick O'Hern, of Australia, and England's Miles Tunnicliff.

McGinley, the match-winning hero of the 2002 challenge, had knee surgery this spring after finishing second to Mark O'Meara in the Dubai Desert Classic. He is 17th in the race for places in Europe's team this September, but could go eighth by winning on Sunday.

"The injury set me back because I played with it for three weeks and then went five weeks without hitting a ball," said McGinley. "It's not bothering me on the course, but it's affecting the amount of preparation I can do, and it's all about quality now. If I play well I will make it - and I desperately want to.

"I think there is a big difference in the quality of player who has played one Ryder Cup and a player who has played at least two," he said. "That is one of my goals - I definitely want to play another.

"To qualify for the team is very difficult, and if you make the team because of a hot year then fine. But I think that if you get into the team twice then it shows that it's more than just a hot year. It's quality over a period of time."

Both he and O'Hern covered the back nine first in 33, three under par, and while both added three more birdies the Perth golfer had just one bogey while McGinley had two.

O'Hern is also back playing after a knee problem, and it has hit his hopes of playing in the British Open at Royal Troon next month. He entered the qualifying competition in Melbourne, and although he pulled out before the start he was told that he could not go in for any other qualifying event.

O'Hern's only hopes now are a mini-European Order of Merit currently in progress (only two places are on offer through that), or to be the leading non-exempt player at either the European Open at the K Club or Scottish Open.

"Very strange and a bit bizarre," he said. "I'm not sure what their reasoning was, but I've just got to take it on the chin."

Next best of the Irish is Italian Open champion Graeme McDowell who returned to the course after a two-hour delay for lightning to card a three-under 69.

Gary Murphy was a shot further back, Philip Walton and Damien McGrane handed in 73 while Peter Lawrie struggled to a three-over 75.

Scott Drummond, playing for the first time since his stunning victory in the Volvo PGA Championship two weeks ago, returned a 73.

Colin Montgomerie shot a 71, while Paul Lawrie, the only player in the field taking part at Shinnecock Hills next week, was on 73.