Four share first day lead with 66's

Angel Cabrera has a share of the lead after the first day of the German Masters, but the Argentine admitted that he had the father of defending champion Sergio Garcia to thank for his score.

Cabrera shot a fine six-under-par 66 to lead alongside compatriot Jose Coceres, Irishman Padraig Harrington and Patrik Sjoland of Sweden. Garcia meanwhile bogeyed the last two holes to finish well back with a 72, but Cabrera was in no doubt of the influence of the Spaniard’s father.

“I had 27 putts today and that was a much better performance,” said Cabrera after a faultless card containing six birdies. “I had 34 in the first round last week and then 31, and I missed the cut.

“This morning I had a lesson from Sergio Garcia's father Victor. In only five minutes he squared up my shoulders. It worked.”

Yet to register a win on the European Tour, Cabrera has finished in second-place four times. The three other pace-setters also fired six birdies and did not drop a shot and Sjoland, with his first good opening round since winning the Irish Open in July, has twin targets this week - a $400,000 triumph and third European Tour title, plus a place in next year's majors.

“I'm lying 22nd on the rankings at the moment and my target is top 15 so I can be sure of places in next year's U.S. Open and British Open and there is very big money here this week,” he said.

Harrington, who lost a play-off with Garcia for this title last year, is enjoying a rich vein of form. He led by a shot going in to the final round of the Belgacom Open but two bogeys on the first three holes set him back and he had to settle for a share of third place behind winner Lee Westwood.

This week has a bigger purse and more Ryder Cup points at stake though, and behind the leading group is an impressive chasing pack, including Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer, both of whom shot a 67.

Rankings leader Westwood spoiled his day by going into a pond to bogey his last hole for a 70.

Nick Faldo also found water at 17 but made a wonder save for a similar 70 after taking off his shoes and socks and playing out of the hazard.

Swede Mats Lanner holed in one at the 16th to win a $40,000 Jaguar car.

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