Ernie Els leads first round after flawless 66

Ernie Els exorcised the demons from his Masters nightmare with a sparkling 66 in the first round of the £1.2million Deutsche Bank-SAP Open TPC of Europe.

The 29-year-old South African, chasing the first prize of £200,000, produced a flawless six-under-par effort at St Leon-Rot in his first competitive round for five weeks.

And despite the presence of five other members of the world's top 10, only Scotland's Gary Orr could match Els' total late in the afternoon with France's Jean Van De Velde and midlander John Bickerton two shots further back after 68s.

It was all a far cry from Els' last tournament round when he suffered a dramatic final-day collapse when in contention for a first green jacket at Augusta.

Beginning the last day at four under, just three behind eventual winner Jose Maria Olazabal, the double US Open champion slumped to a disastrous eight-over-par 80 to finish joint 27th.

That display, combined with the fatigue from playing seven straight events, prompted Els to pack away his clubs for over a month in which time he lounged on a beach in the Bahamas and went home for 10 days to South Africa.

The rest seems to have been just what the doctor ordered as a refreshed Els set his sights on a sixth European Tour title.

"I guess my final round at Augusta had something to do with my break.

"I just felt like getting away from it all," said Els.

"I definitely thought I had a chance going into the final round.

"Normally I like my chances when I'm a few behind going into the final round.

"But if you are not really mentally prepared for the battle you are going to make mistakes and that's what I did.

"I wasn't quite into it.

"I told myself if I didn't feel like playing then I won't play.

"I had played seven in a row and so I was 'over-golfed'. I just got fed up, but I had a great time away from the course.

"I started to feel good about my game again about a week ago so I decided to come here and give it a bash.

"We've got quite a good stretch coming up now with three majors in three or four months and I've got to be ready."

Els looked destined to lead overnight until Orr's fine late effort made it a two-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.

Orr, whose best performance on the tour was second place in the Volvo PGA Championship almost exactly 12 months ago, had just 25 putts in his round and entered the Press centre still clutching the club.

"I think I'll take it back to the hotel tonight," said the 32-year-old Scot.

"I putted really well and got off to a flying start on the front nine with three birdies and a chip in, and then the wind dropped so we had perfect conditions on the back nine.

"I've been playing consistently all year without any spectacular golf, making most of the cuts (nine out of 12) and just plodding along.

"I'm delighted to be up there with Ernie. It's good to have these guys playing; it's good for the tournament with more people watching."

One player to whom Orr was referring was Tiger Woods, reportedly being paid one million US dollars to play this week.

The sponsors may well consider it money well spent judging by the large gallery that followed the 23-year-old American's every move and the former world number one was happy with his day's work.

"I knew that anything under par was going to be good.

"Under the conditions it's very difficult and I'm pleased to shoot under par," said the 1997 Masters champion.

"The toughest part is that we didn't leave the course until 9pm last night and we had to go back and get something to eat and somehow sleep.

"It was a quick turnaround and not easy to do."

European number one Colin Montgomerie, fresh from victory at the Benson and Hedges last week, was equally satisfied with his opening 71 even though it left him five off the pace.

"I only missed two fairways at the sixth and seventh and made my only two bogeys," said the 35-year-old Scot.

"You can't win a tournament on the first day but you can lose it so 71 is fine. I'll sleep happy."

Monty's score was matched by Nick Faldo but defending champion Lee Westwood faces an uphill struggle to hold on to his crown after a level-par first round of 72.

The 26-year-old from Worksop missed the last two events and is still in pain from an arm injury that specialists now believe may be linked to a virus affecting nerves in his back.

"I'm not playing very well but part of it is down to my arm," said Westwood.

"It's still not right but I may as well play if I can't do any more damage.

"I've taken painkillers again on the course because it still hurts."

Spanish star Sergio Garcia came home in 33 for a 70 while former amateur rival Justin Rose, seeking to make his first cut in 20 attempts, could only manage a 74