DANNY WILLETT continued where he left off at the Open Championship with a superb start at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
The 27-year-old from South Yorkshire, who finished in a tie for sixth at St Andrews on Monday, opened with a five-under-par 65 as regular European Tour action resumed at the spectacular Alpine venue of Crans-sur-Sierre.
Willett's round, which included an eagle and five birdies, earned him a share of the early lead along with fellow Englishmen Seve Benson and Richard Bland, and Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond.
Welshman Bradley Dredge was one of five players on four under as the morning starters – delayed by fog early on – reached the end of their first rounds. Defending champion David Lipsky, the American, was also in that group while Knaresborough's John Parry signed for a three-under 67 along with Wales' Jamie Donaldson and American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed.
Lee Westwood, whose 42 career wins include Crans success in 1999, recovered from a poor start to reach two under with three birdies in his closing five holes while Gary Stal moved in the opposite direction. The Frenchman was five under after six holes but then fell back to two under.
Willett, who has risen to a career-high of 32 in the world rankings, was pleased with his opening.
"They've tinkered with the golf course again this year so it's playing fairly tough, so anything under par was a decent score – especially given the fog delay – and 65 is very pleasing," said Willett.
"It sets up quite nicely for me here. It's a good fun golf course, and a good fun week. I've got my family here with me, so it's been a nice week off the course and, so far, a nice week on it as well. Long may it continue."
Benson started badly with two bogeys in his opening four holes but finished strongly with a run of five birdies in the last seven. Bland dropped a shot at the first but then stayed bogey-free as he picked up six birdies.
World No.10 Sergio Garcia, the 2005 champion and one of the favourites for a tournament co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour, was among the afternoon starters. The Spaniard, who has a property in the Crans Montana area but is appearing in the event for the first time in nine years, opened with a double bogey at the first.
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