Peter Lawrie set about making amends in losing a play off a year ago to snatch the lead on day one of the Czech Open.
Lawrie was denied the title twelve months ago by Peter Hanson, and with the Swede locking-in his place in the European Ryder Cup team.
After a fortnight’s break spent at home with his four young children, Lawrie burst back to good form with a six under par 66 on the Miguel Angel Jimenez designed Prosper Golf Club course in Celadna.
Good friend and compatriot Damien McGrane made it an Irish one-two atop to share second in carding a 67 while Shane Lowry is just one back in carding a four-under par 68.
Lawrie’s opener, on the rain-softened course, is his second best start all season and could easily have been eight under par had a 10-foot birdie dropped at the last.
“I played lovely golf and no bogeys is always nice,” said Lawrie.
“Anytime I gave myself chance of a birdie from short range, I holed it but then I had the chance to go to seven under on the but missed my 10-footer, so six under is not too bad.
“However the golf course is playing a lot different to last year and the heavy rain we had on Monday night means it’s a lot softer than 12 months ago.”
Both Lawrie and McGrane continue to look for a second Race to Dubai success after having broke through within weeks of each other in 2008 to claim a maiden tour victory.
McGrane got his round underway with back-to-back birdies and while he dropped a shot at his eighth, the Meads man ended with birdies at his 16th and final holes.
“I birdied the first and just played very solid after that,” said McGrane.
“I had a lot of birdie chances and even though I also birdied the last, I felt as though I could have been three or four more shots under par than just five.
“But five under is a decent reflection and I’ll take that.”
Lowry boosted hopes of cementing his place in the Dubai World Championship with his best starting round all season.
After missing the cut in his last event, the Irish Open with scores of 74 and 78, the Esker Hills star was delighted to be off to a good start in his second appearance in the Czech Republic.
And helping Lowry, who is ranked 58th on the Race to Dubai money list, was a decision to change putters and also his putting grip.
“I’ve been struggling of late with my putting so I decided to make a few changes and I’m pleased,” he said.
“I was level par after nine and managed to hole a few birdies putts coming in, and while the there is still a long way to go, I am happy with my start.”
Lowry capped his round eagling the par five fifth hole he was playing as his sixth.
And Paul McGinley made it four Irish flags inside the top-10 with an opening 69 for a share of seventh.
The 585th world ranked McGinley capped his round also eagling the fifth and grabbing birdie at the next.
However Jimenez, the course designer and also highest world ranked player in the event, slumped to a 76.
