Local boy makes good as Irish start well

GOLF EUROPEAN TOUR:SOUTH AFRICAN Ulrich Van den Berg banished the memories of a last-round meltdown four years ago to take the lead on the opening day of the new European Tour season yesterday.

The 34 year-old, ranked 657th in the world, led the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek by four with 12 holes to play in 2005, but then crashed to an inward 44.

He has missed the cut in the event every year since, but a flawless, eight-under-par 64 this time has put him one in front of Swede Pelle Edberg.

Ernie Els, the player who took advantage of Van den Berg’s collapse but had his own nightmare on the course two years ago with a closing triple bogey eight when two ahead, birdied the hole on his return and signed for a 68.

Van den Berg, who did not manage a single top-20 finish in 12 starts in Europe last season, came home in a five-under 30.

“I’ve been struggling with my game for at least a year now, and haven’t been anywhere near my best,” he said.

“I felt very peaceful and relaxed out there. For me it always depends on my putting – if it’s good then I feel I can relax.”

Irish open champion Shane Lowry and Damien McGrane got their seasons off to an impressive start by firing a pair of five-under 67s to share fifth place.

Lowry had a run of four birdies from the 15th on his card, while McGrane spread two bogeys among five birdies and an eagle.

A week ago Edberg was at the Tour qualifying school in Spain – and failed to win back a card. He owed his place in the event to his 132nd-placed finish on last season’s circuit and birdied five of the last seven holes.

Playing with Els was Edoardo Molinari, the Italian who lifted the World Cup with his brother Francesco two weeks ago and has won four of his last six events.

A win could take him into the world’s top-50 and bring with it a place in next April’s US Masters alongside his brother, and that hope is still alive after a 66 gave him a share of third.

Not such a good day, though, for the other member of the group, England’s John Bickerton.

Shock winner two years ago when Els came to grief on the last, Bickerton could do no better than 81 and is next to last.

Defending champion Richard Sterne returned a level-par 72.

Gareth Maybin was a shot behind Lowry and McGrane after shooting 68, while Gary Murphy, who retained his tour card at Qualifying School last week, returned a 72 with Michael Hoey a shot further back.