Dixon takes opening day honours

Padraig Harrington can atone for his disqualification three years ago after moving to within a shot of the Benson and Hedges International Open lead on Thursday.

The Irish Ryder Cup player said he had had to "work hard" at The Belfry for his first round five-under-par 67 but it took him to within a stroke of early front-runner David Dixon of England.

It was at the same Belfry venue -- also scene of Europe's 2002 Ryder Cup triumph, of which he was part -- where in 2000 it was discovered Harrington had failed to sign for his opening round 71 and, after going on to break the course record, was disqualfied just before going out in the final round, five strokes ahead of the field.

Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal went on to win the tournament and even Harrington's course record 64 was expunged, the only bad memory he still holds, he said.

The 31-year-old Dubliner was taking no chances on omitting to sign for this year's card which included a chip-in eagle and four birdies after he had bogeyed the second.

"Since that happened I always sign twice, but I remembered back and made sure and signed three times," said Harrington, who had made his mistake in 2000 when his playing partner Michael Campbell accidentally signed in his place on the card.

"If I think back I think in a positive way and I have a lot of good memories here.

"The only disappointing thing is that I can't understand why my course record 64 in the third round isn't recognised.

"It was a competitive round and I wasn't disqualfed until the next day.

"Today I worked hard and it was a pat on the back that things are going in the right direction."

At number 10, Harrington is the second highest world-ranked player at The Belfry behind number nine Retief Goosen of South Africa.

But leader Dixon, the silver medallist as top amateur in the 2001 British Open, outshone everybody when The Belfry showed its teeth.

The big-hitting 26-year-old is happy to be moving towards the potential he showed at Royal Lytham in 2001 but refusing to hurry his career. Earlier in the year he had his best result in his rookie year -- 14th in the Qatar Masters -- and he feels he can do better now.

"I've been patient. I had an okay tournament in Qatar but my caddie and myself were not used to being in the mix-up," said Dixon, praising his new caddie Wayne Clark of Britain for helping him to his 66.

"I dropped a few silly shots because of nerves and I hope I've learned from it."

The last two victors in the event, 2001 winner Henrik Stenson of Sweden and 2002 champion Argentine Angel Cabrera, lie third, two shots off the lead.

Colin Montgomerie reckoned he had "wasted four and a half hours" shooting a 72.

There were plenty of high scores, with Seve Ballesteros predictably carding a 79, but Nick Faldo shot 76 and Ian Woosnam 77. Their 2004 Ryder Cup captaincy rival Bernhard Langer returned a 71, though. Europe's 2002 Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance plummeted to an 82.

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