THE OPEN RELATED STORIES The Open Home Page The Open Scores Round 4: Padraig Harrington wins Open in playoff Round 4: Late bogeys cost Romero The Open Round 4: No final round charge from Tiger Woods Round 4: Richard Green equals course record Round 4: 18th at Carnoustie strikes again Round 3: Sergio Garcia in sight of first major title Round 3: Justin Rose boosted by round of 67 Round 3: Late problems cost Ian Poulter dear Round 3: Tiger Woods shoots 69 but still eight back Round 3: Chris DiMarco back in the mix after a 65 Round 3: Steve Stricker shoots course record Round 2: Sergio Garcia holds on to lead on Friday Round 2: Rory McIlroy claims Silver Medal Round 2: Garcia not bothered when he wins major Round 2: Phil Mickelson struggles and misses cut Round 2: Tiger Woods still in the hunt despite 74 Round 2: Weir jumps into contention with round of 68 Round 1: Sergio Garcia leads with opening 65 Round 1: David Howell happy with eventful 72 Round 1: KJ Choi happy despite late bogeys Round 1: Inspired Michael Campbell shoots 68 Round 1: Ruling overshadows Tiger's round Round 1: Last minute tip helps McGinley to a 67 Round 1: Amateur Rory McIlroy scores a 68 Top 20 favourites for the Open Tiger Woods targets third straight Open title Paul Lawrie returns to site of famous victory Colin Montgomerie backs European winner Draw for first & second rounds Seve Ballesteros retires from golf Jean Van de Velde suffering from unknown illness Wild weather day at Carnoustie Jim Furyk enjoys his low profile Phil Mickelson not worried about driving problems Peter Fowler aims to get career back on track Nick Faldo fears for "nice" Europeans No distractions for Tiger Woods Paul Lawrie still not getting credit for Open win Jose Maria Olazabal withdraws from the Open Rod Pampling seeks to change Carnoustie luck Sergio Garcia unhappy with Scottish weather Weather biggest factor in how Carnoustie will play Gary Player says some players take steriods Justin Rose seeks to break European drought Quotations about the Open Championship Course Guide: Carnoustie 2007 European Tour Schedule COMPETITIONS, GIFTS AND OFFERS WIN a 3 night sunshine break in Spain! WIN 18 holes, dinner, B&B at Oulton Hall WIN the Official Open 2011 DVD WIN The Golf Miscellany Open Champion Tom Watson's DVD Get the Open Fairways card for just £59!

Last minute tip helps Paul McGinley to a 67

Irishman Paul McGinley, after spending months in the doldrums, found the key to an improved swing with an hour or so to go before teeing off his Open challenge on Thursday.

His new-found confidence took him soaring into the early clubhouse lead thanks to a four-under-par 67 which left him a shot clear of New Zealand's Michael Campbell and Markus Brier of Austria in the first round.

"I found the swing key on the practice ground this morning, there's no doubt about that," McGinley told a news conference.

"Something that I worked on before in my swing sort of clicked into place and I was able to go with it and get a great start."

The 40-year-old, who has not been in title contention on the European Tour all year, said the improvement in his swing rotation gave him much increased ball control on a course which measures 7,431 yards.

"There's more than one way to skin a cat," said McGinley. "Obviously I can't overpower a golf course (like Carnoustie).

"But what I can do is have good ball control and course management and putt well, and those three things I did today," added McGinley, who carded six birdies before shedding two shots at the 15th and 16th holes.

McGinley has built a reputation as a ferocious Ryder Cup campaigner, he holed the winning putt in the 2002 match at the Belfry, but has struggled to make an impact in the majors and has an Open best of tied 14th in 1996 from 14 previous attempts.

He has missed seven cuts.

"Obviously I've lacked something because I've played a different level of golf in Ryder Cups than I have done in big events. Yes, I haven't done enough," said 2008 Ryder Cup vice-captain McGinley, a veteran of three matches.