PADRAIG HARRINGTON gave himself a clear view of a £125,000 first prize when the Compaq European Grand Prix began at Slaley Hall yesterday. Playing in contact lenses for the first time, the Dubliner shot a five under par 67 to share second place, one behind surprise leader Steven Webster, who, despite a badly bruised left thumb, had an eagle and six birdies on the Northumberland park land course.
Alongside Harrington is Swedish struggler Fredrik Andersson, who stands 199th in the Volvo Ranking, but who changed the shafts in his clubs, took out a new putter, and was rewarded with the best start of his five year professional career.
It was also a red letter day for Des Smyth who had a bogey free 69 as did favourite Colin Montgomerie. Raymond Burns, despite a seven at the 11th, was round in 70.
Harrington's shortsightedness has led to problems on the golf course in the past, but during a break from the Tour last week, he visited a Dublin optician. Yesterday he showed how much difference they had made to his game by sweeping home in a best of the day 31.
So accurate was his approach play that not one of his seven birdies were from more than eight feet, and, apart from one lapse on the greens at the ninth, his putting was also assured.
"I feel fresher after taking the break," he said, band I am delighted with the new lenses. I had no problems with them at all."
Earlier in the week Harrington was circumspect about a Ryder Cup place. But his Spanish Open victory last year showed he knows what it takes to win, and, Montgomerie apart, this is not the strongest of European fields.
Smyth, now 44, has the latest and largest hightech driver in his bag in a bid to keep in touch with the longer hitters on the circuit, and he certainly did not suffer in comparison with partners Mike Harwood (77) and Ariel Canete (79).
His short game was also sharp as he chipped in from seven yards to birdie the 16th, and sank putts of 10 and 15 feet at the third and 12th.
Burns began at the 10th with a birdie, but took two shots in a fairway bunker at the long 11th and five in all to get down from 60 yards for a double bogey. But he regrouped well, getting out in a regulation 36 after holing from 15 feet for a two at the 17th, and getting back in 34 with the aid of birdies at the fourth and fifth.
Ronan Rafferty had a par 72, but after getting out in 34 should have been under the card. Paul McGinley was another to falter after a good start, slipping to 73, while David Higgins was also guilty of fading after being three under par on the 13th tee.
Philip Walton had a double bogey six at the eighth, and a seven at the 16th, where he was unplayable off his drive and had to trudge back to the tee. The Ryder Cup player ended on 75, the same as Eamonn Darey, who was another to finish with a six. Christy O'Connor Jnr had three birdies but signed for a 74.
