Casey delighted by excellent start

Paul Casey had not held the first-round lead in a regular European Tour event for 13 years, but the Englishman ended that barren run in emphatic fashion at the Porsche European Open yesterday.

Seven birdies negated a solitary bogey and helped Casey to an opening 66 in Hamburg and into a position he had not enjoyed on his home circuit since the 2006 Dunhill Links.

On six-under, the 42-yearold has a one-shot advantage over the Austrian Matthias Schwab, and having finished fifth in his most recent start – the Tour Championship in Atlanta two weeks ago – is already an overwhelming favourite to win his second title of the year.

“It was a really good round of golf. Sure there were a couple of putts that slipped by, but that is such a difficult course,” Casey said. “I stand even happier because the score doesn’t really do it justice. That’s one of the finest rounds of golf I’ve played this year. I’m happy to be under par, let alone six under.”

It was made all the more commendable because Casey has been suffering from a sore throat. “I’m not great, but it is what it is,” the world No17 said. “Maybe it’s a case of ‘beware of the sick golfer’.”

Casey’s countryman Ben Stow, Scotland’s Robert Macintyre and Germany’s Max Rottluff are all on four under.

Stow, the world No 347 who normally plays on the Challenge Tour, was thrilled with his display. “There’s a level of expectation you have to manage, but this is a great opportunity,” Stow said. “Weeks like this can be a life-changer.”