Nov2 Valderrama day one results

A stunning hole-in-one gave Justin Rose the early edge in the four-way battle for the European PGA Tour Order of Merit on the opening day of the season-ending Volvo Masters here Thursday.

The 27-year-old Englishman aced the 196-yard third hole with a six iron to firmly fling the gauntlet down to Irishman Padraig Harrington, who started the tournament in pole position in the rankings.

That sent him on his way to a one-under-par 70, one shot ahead of Harrington who went out in four-over 39 but came back in four-under 32.

The two other men in with a chance of moving ahead of the absent Ernie Els atop the European Tour rankings – Swedes Niclas Fasth and Henrik Stenson – both struggled, Fasth with a 75 and Stenson with a 76.

First round leader was Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland who came in early before the wind gained strength with a three-under 68, one better than another Irishman Paul McGinley who had a 69.

Level with Rose on one-under was Australian Peter O’Malley, while Raphael Jacquelin of France and Ross Fisher of England joined Harrington on level par.

Rose said that he had struggled physically for much of the day as he had picked up a bug.

“That was a battle out there today. I have never ached so much in my life,” he said.

“But I am delighted with one under. I knew how hard it would be today especially playing last and the wind getting stronger.

“I was just trying to keep really calm and I just didn’t have the energy to get frustrated.”

On the hole-in-one which brought a high-five from playing partner Harrington, Rose said: “I thought it was just stalling a bit and when it landed. I just went ‘get in’ and in it went.

“I was relieved to get out of the blocks really quicky and then you can afford to be a little more patient and go for the middle of the greens.

“I got off to a good start and he got of to a poor start, but that was a great back nine for him and there is not much in it.”

British Open winner Harrington said that the breaks had gone against him on the front nine especially when he incurred a one-stroke penalty on the seventh when his ball moved in the wind after he had addressed the ball on the green.

“I was four over par after seven holes and had only really hit one bad shot,” he said.

“Luckily for me I stayed patient and managed to turn it around.

“I got the breaks afterwards so probably it evened itself out. It was nice making birdies on 10 and 11 and that was great help. You need to get a few breaks when it’s windy.”

To earn enough money to pass Els and clinch the Harry Vardon trophy rewarding the European PGA Tour’s top golfer of the year, both Harrington and Rose must finish at least third.

The Irishman however carried a slight lead coming into Valderrama, meaning that Rose must also finish ahead of him.

Harrington topped the Order of Merit last year by edging leader Paul Casey of England on the final day of the tournament.

This year’s leader Els was unable to defend his chances as he had already committed to play at the Singapore Open before the dates for Valderrama were announced.