Misfortune pays off for McGrane

For Damien McGrane, and everyone else, the shadowboxing is over. This is for real.

Yesterday, as is his way, McGrane went about his business in the Abu Dhabi Championship with honesty bereft of any false marketing tapestry, typical of a guy who'd prepared for the new season in the most unorthodox fashion. His way, and no other.

In the build-up to his new campaign on tour, his sixth with a full tour card, McGrane decided that part of his winter would be spent visiting the Antarctic rather than entirely on the practice ground.

However, those best made plans were shredded when the ship he had intended visiting the ice caps on was damaged and, instead, cast ashore, he spent a fortnight in Santiago, Chile.

In some ways, though, the ship's misfortune was to McGrane's benefit, as the R&R put him in good shape mentally for what should be a busy year's work and, yesterday, he opened his campaign with a two-under-par 70 that left him nicely positioned - albeit four shots adrift of leader Martin Kaymer - after the first round.

Who knows what McGrane's deepest thoughts possess? Whether they're to do with the prospect of a maiden tour win; or, even, if the dream is to make Europe's Ryder Cup team?

What no one doubts is his work ethic, or his ability to keep the mind focused which he did on the back nine of yesterday's opening round to his 2008 campaign.

It was bogey-free, and produced the bonus of a 30-foot birdie on the 16th.

"I played reasonably well," conceded the 36-year-old Meathman, the touring professional attached to the Knightsbrook resort in Trim. "Being the first tournament outing for me in the New Year, you don't really know what to expect.

" You're thankful for what you get and hope for the best the rest of the time. All the players here this week are rusty, and I'm happy enough on two-under."

He added: "You know, it's probably a couple of shots better than I was hoping for going out. I was just hoping to go out, play well, and obviously take the good with the bad.

"It's a good result out there. Nothing comes easy on this course, and it's a case now of onwards and upwards."

McGrane's 70 was the best of the eight-strong Irish contingent in action, and he was the only one to better par as Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley all produced level par 72s, while Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Peter Lawrie registered 73s. Gary Murphy, after reaching the turn in one-under, eventually signed for a 74.

For McIlroy, it was, as he put it, "very frustrating" as he felt a little ring-rusty. "Once I get a few rounds under my belt, I'll be fine," observed McIlroy, who has a bet with his coach, Michael Bannon, that he won't get his hair cut until he wins a tournament. "I wanted it to grow a bit anyway," added McIlroy.

Clarke, following on from his fourth place finish in the Joburg Open last week, opened with a level par 72 that was only marred by a bogey on the finishing hole. But that blemish failed to take away his feeling of well-being.

"It's just a combination of everything," explained Clarke of his resurgence in form.

"I am probably more at peace with myself. All the work I've been doing with Ewan (Murray) has been really good, and the new ball from TaylorMade (the LDP) which spins less and means I can control my ball flight an awful lot better has meant that I'm keen and eager to play. I feel I just want to play well."