Lay-off pays off for McGinley

Paul McGinley returned to the European Tour after a seven-week lay-off in superb form to lie just one shot off the lead at Penha Longa, Portugal. The Dubliner fired a two-under-par 70 in the wind and rain to share second place behind joint leaders Van Phillips and Philip Price.

"That was a pretty solid performance," McGinley said. "I hit a lot of greens in very windy conditions, and overall I'm pretty pleased with the overall result."

Eamon Darcy was also pleased with a 73, although he took 32 putts in his first outing with a broom-handle putter. "I'm determined to persevere with the putter for a month," he said.

Philip Walton and Des Smyth recorded rounds of 76, while John McHenry struggled to a 78.

Welshman Price also shook off the rust from a six-week injury lay-off to make a superb return to the scene of his greatest triumph. The 32-year-old from Pontypridd won his first, and so far only, European Tour event there in 1994 after leading from start to finish.

And he gave himself at least a fighting chance of repeating the trick with a first-round 69.

Price's total was some five shots worse than his opening round five years ago when he fired a course-record 64 on what was then a par-71 lay-out.

But he was more than happy to settle for a 69 in conditions that would have tested the patience of a saint.

"I would have taken anything around par," said Price, who has not played since an excellent start to the season with three top-20 finishes culminating in a joint-second place in the Qatar Masters in February.

"I feel very rusty and when I was practising I wasn't playing well. I've had six weeks off. I had a virus for two weeks before the Algarve Open and then hurt my hand before I was due to go to Madeira."

Phillips had set the clubhouse target much earlier in the day as he again enjoyed his trip to Portugal. The 27-year-old from Maidenhead, who claimed his first European Tour win in the Algarve Open last month, joked: "It's a pity not every event is in Portugal.

"I'd have settled for that before the start. It was horrible for the first few holes this morning, cold with wind and rain.

"It was probably a two-club wind and on some holes you have to hit some really risky shots, aiming 30 yards left of the green and just hoping the wind will blow it back."

England's Justin Rose's woes continued with a six-over-par 78, although the 18-year-old - seeking to make his first cut as a professional at the 17th attempt - did well to battle on after being five over after six holes.

Achievement of the day belonged to Spain's Miguel Angel Martin, who defied the elements to fire 18 pars, while worst round of the day comfortably belonged to home player Antonio Dantas Da Silva.

He had an eight and five sixes in a 19-over-par round of 91 - and to make matters worse he is the assistant professional at the course.