Trio take first day honours

Briton Paul Broadhurst, Dutchman Maarten Lafeber and Australia's Nick O'Hern shot five-under-par 67s to share the European Open lead after Thursday's first round.

Former Ryder Cup player Broadhurst, without a win since 1995, and Lafeber, who had his maiden victory last year in the Dutch Open, built on their success earlier this week when the pair qualified for the British Open.

O'Hern, who has finished fourth, third and second in his last three European Tour events, is lying second of those not already exempt on the British Open mini order of merit that closes on Sunday night. The left-hander can get to Royal Troon in one fell-swoop if he improves his finishing sequence.

The top trio are two strokes are ahead of a group which includes U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen.

The 7,313 yards Arnold Palmer-designed Smurfit course, being used for the first time, was considered tough enough in windy conditions to need reducing by nearly 100 yards because it was felt that some players would not be able to reach fairways off the tee.

First Broadhurst in the morning, when only seven players were under par, then Lafeber and O'Hern in the afternoon, cut the course down to size.

The 1991 Ryder Cup man said he had found his form by practising in the rain following a disappointing French Open.

"I played shocking in France, I just didn't know where I was going," he said.

"I knew it wasn't any good going to Sunningdale (for the British Open qualifiers) with that, so I spent Saturday and Sunday sharpening up, practising in the rain, at home.

"Something clicked and I played well at Sunningdale."

Lafeber was the first Dutchman to win his home title since 1947 but the death of his father-in-law, a virus in Dubai and Qatar, and an infected wisdom-tooth, has marred his 2004 season.

After deciding not to 'try too hard' to get back to winning ways, Lafeber is back on course for a second title.

"Maybe I felt I was falling behind the other guys when I had my troubles and I was trying to make up for it too quickly, in golf you have to be patient," he said.

O'Hern is determined to make it to Royal Troon having lost his chance of pre-qualifying because of a knee injury that prevented him playing in the Melbourne pre-qualifier earlier in the year.

"I'm feeling comfortable with my new swing and I feel I'm good enough to go one better now and win," said the Australian.

Goosen, fighting tiredness following his U.S. Open exertions, was delighted with his 69.

Aware of the toughness of the course, Goosen told reporters: "Three more 69s? You'd win by quite a few."

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