Damien McGrane again showed fondness for the links-like Kennemer course muscling his way into a share of second place on day one of the KLM Open at Zandvoort.
McGrane holed a 25-foot putt for eagle at the 12th and grabbed five birdies on the shortest course on this year’s Race to Dubai schedule to be among six with scores of five under par 65.
Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, who won the event nine years ago, leads on six under par.
This year marks McGrane’s 10th KLM Open with five appearances apiece now on the Dutch coastline here at Zandvoort and five at Hilversum closer to Amsterdam.
However McGrane’s best showing has always been at Kenemeer, where the event has returned for a first time in four years.
He was third on debut in 2006 and then fourth three years later.
And as you would expect, his lowest scores have been on this North Sea course located close the Zandvoort car racetrack including a 64 in each of those two years.
In contrast, he’s always struggled on the tree-lined Hilversum layout with his lowest round being a 67 and with McGrane’s best finish being a tie for 26th in 2010 and last year.
“I’ve got good memories playing here at Kenemeer and needless to day after this good start I am looking forward to good week again this year,” he said.
Damien McGrane (IRL) teeing off during Round One at the KLM Dutch Open, from the Kennemer Golf & Country Club, Zandvoort, Netherlands. Picture: David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie
“I just like coming here as it’s a great links style golf course and in such fantastic condition after all the rain we’ve had the past few days.”
McGrane capped his round with by holing a 25-foot putt for eagle at the par five, 12th hole.
Paul McGinley birdied his last to post a 68 and one fewer than fellow Irishman and playing partner, Shane Lowry.
Padraig Harrington birdied his closing two holes in a round of a one over par 71 but then was involved in 15-minute discussion with Tour rules official, Mark Litton over slow play midway in his round.
Harrington had been on the 10th hole when a flash downpour hit the course resulting in the triple Major taking a triple bogey ‘7’.
There was a lot of finger pointing on the part of Litton and a lot of talking from Harrington but with the rules official indicating Harrington was not at fault and this despite a caddy to another player complaining of the Irishman ‘taking ages’ to play his shots.
