Rory McIlroy, fresh from the high of a third-place finish in Scotland last week, fired a very professional if frustrating one-over 73 in yesterday's first round of the Madrid Open.
The 18-year-old had 17 pars on his card, with the lone bogey five at the sixth hole, to lie in a share of 43rd behind leader Daniel Vancsik of Argentina, who raced into the lead with a seven-under 65 at Real Sociedad Hípica Española Club de Campo.
"I hit a lot of fairways and greens so I am happy enough, hopefully I can come out tomorrow and shoot something a bit better," said McIlroy.
"It was pretty tricky in the wind and the greens cut up a little bit as well. They will be a lot better tomorrow morning so if I can shoot something in the 60s I will be right there."
Best of the Irish are Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane, who signed for 71s, while Graeme McDowell shot a two-over 74.
Scotland's Steven O'Hara learned from his mistakes to boost his chances of retaining his European Tour card with a first-round 67.
O'Hara lies 120th on the Order of Merit with only the top 115 after the Mallorca Classic on October 28th keeping their playing privileges.
With only two counting events remaining after this week the pressure is on, but O'Hara is trying to put that to the back of his mind after a costly final round in the Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday.
"I was 32nd after three rounds and started trying to work out what I had to do to keep my card," explained O'Hara, who ended the day two off the lead held by Vancsik.
"I worked out that if I shot level par in the last round that would be enough, but I shot 76 just because I was thinking about that too much. I'm better just trying to not think about it and play my own game.
"Of course it's important to keep my card but there are a lot of other guys in a similar position to me so I've just got to get on with it. I'm just trying to concentrate on this tournament and finish as high as I can; if it's enough, it's enough."
The 27-year-old from Glasgow enjoyed a superb amateur career and played on the victorious Walker Cup side in 2001 which also featured tour winners McDowell, Nick Dougherty, Luke Donald and Marc Warren, but has never finished higher than 70th on the money list.
Vancsik, who won the Madeira Island Open in March but missed the cut in 12 of the next 14 events, carded six birdies and an eagle to establish a course-record 65 and lead by one shot from Portugal's Jose-Filipe Lima.
"It's the best score I've had since Madeira, I've been playing great for the last four or five weeks but just not scoring," said the 30-year-old, who had to regain his card at the qualifying school last year.
Leading first round scores
(at Real Sociedad Hipica Espanola Club de Campo.
Play suspended due to darkness - Three players to complete one hole today. Irish in bold, British unless stated): 65 - D Vancsik (Arg) 66 - J-F Lima (Por) 67 - S O'Hara, M Kaymer (Ger) 68 - E Canonica (Ita), G Lockerbie 69 - M Vibe-Hastrup (Den), A Canizares (Spa), S Struver (Ger) 70 - C Hanell (Swe), A Marshall, P Gustafsson (Swe), F Valera (Spa) 71 - D Carter, S Webster, J-F Remesy (Fra), A Coltart, S Walker, S Little, C Rodiles (Spa), G Fernandez-Castano (Spa), J Van de Velde (Fra), Damien McGrane (Ire), A Tampion (Aus), G Bourdy (Fra), Peter Lawrie (Ire), B Barham, M Zions (Aus) 72 - M Millar (Aus), D Drysdale, JM Lara (Spa), M Eliasson (Swe), M Richardson, P Sjoland (Swe), S Alker (Nzl), R Rock, M Quiros (Spa), R Cabrera Bello (Spa), R Bland, S Kapur (Ind). Others: 73 - Rory McIlroy (N Ire). 74 - Graeme McDowell (N Ire).
