Paul McGinley displayed his dogged fighting qualities in posting a one under par 71 on the first day ofthe Ballantine’s Championship in Seoul.
The triple Ryder Cupwinning star began and ended with bogeys but managed to grab three birdies incold and windy conditions on the Blackstone course in suburban Icheon.
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson heads the field in carding a four under par 68 to lead by two strokes from fiveplayers including World No. 45 Paul Casey and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay.
The Errol Flynn-looking Dubuisson is a former European and Mexican amateur champion and is competing onthe Tour for a second year.
Former Tour player Simon Hurd obviously enjoying caddying for Paul McGinley in Korea. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/ww.golffile.ie)
McGinley, with former Tour player Simon Hurd as caddy, is along 11 players sharing seventh place including Australia’s Adam Scott contesting the evplaentfor a first time.
However the cold and windy conditions made it a tough day for all competitors.
“When you have swirling winds is always difficult and there is a lot of tiers on the greens that madedistance control important,” said McGinley.
“So it was hard to get it onto the correct tier but I battled well and I am pleased with one under par.
“I was not surprised anyone didn’t get away to five or six under par as you have needed a lot ofluck given the conditions.”
McGinley was the very last player into the Korean event and again qualifying off the all-time EuropeanTour money list.
McGinley is lying 22nd among the top-40 money earners with Euro 10.5m but well behind front-runningLee Westwood who has banked Euro 26.3m in his European Tour career.
McGinley has contested every Ballantine’s Championship since finishing third behind Graeme McDowell in the inaugural event in 2008.
Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin is next best of the Irish posting three outward nine birdies but also three inward half bogeys.
Damien McGrane was one under par with two holes to play but bogeyed his closing two holes in a 73.
Esker Hill’s Shane Lowry was one under par after nine but ended with a 74.
And Darren Clarke’s honeymooncame to a crashing halt with the British Open champion signing for a five over par 77.
