Five share first day honours

Italy's three-time Ryder Cup player Costantino Rocca defied 40mph winds at the North West of Ireland Open Thursday to produce the round of the day and enjoy a share of the overnight five-way lead.

Rocca, the 1999 champion in Ireland, made light of being the oldest man in the field at 45 to card a one-under-par 71 on the demanding links before the wind eased a little in the afternoon.

Then his score was matched by his compatriot Massimo Florioli, double Danish Amateur Champion Allan Hogh, Spain's Jesus Arruti and 41-year-old Swede Anders Forsbrand to provide a five-way tie on top, a stroke ahead of the field.

"I can't hit the ball 400 yards like some of the youngsters but I was swinging well today in terrible conditions," said Rocca after five birdies, the best haul of a trying morning.

"When you need a five-iron to hit 125 yards, you know it's tough, but you just hope you can keep your timing right, hit the ball low and in the right place.

Since damaging his hand with a knife trying to uncork a wine bottle on New Year's Day in 2000, Rocca's career has nosedived with a succession of follow-up injuries, but he hopes his mastery of tough conditions will signal a significant move up from his 188th position on the European rankings.

"You get injury causing you problems and then you don't score well and then you lose confidence," said the 1995 British Open runner-up, once among the world's best iron players.

Forsbrand, in his 21st year on tour, one more than Rocca, also showed that experience could be more important in difficult conditions over a tough course than youthful big-hitting.

The Swede appreciated a certain amount of good fortune.

"It was tough out there," said Forsbrand, like Rocca bidding to move up the European rankings from his 111th place.

"Every hole was hard out there and when it blows like that, you need to play well -- and get lucky."

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