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McGowan leads Castello Masters, Garcia three back on his home course

By PA Sport
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McGowan leads Castello Masters, Garcia three back on his home course

England's Ross McGowan, fighting for his European Tour future, began the Castello Masters with a 7-under-par 64 on Thursday at Club de Campo del Mediterraneo.

A year after his bid for a Ryder Cup debut was scuppered by a wrist injury, the 29-year-old is only 163rd on the money list and has slumped from 63rd in the world to 543rd. But, needing things to go his way, he sank his 4-iron approach to the 503-yard 17th for an eagle-2 and also had five birdies in a flawless display.

McGowan will not be taking anything for granted, however. Two weeks ago, he started the Madrid Masters with another 64 and led there as well, only to fall all the way back to 42nd.

"It's nice to be playing well again and up in contention," he said. "I'm not really thinking about the 'Race to Dubai' at the moment. I'm just trying to play each shot at a time and put up a good result at the end of the week."

On the eagle, he added: "I wasn't sure it had gone in. I heard one clap, got up there and found it in the hole."

McGowan is two in front of compatriot Richard McEvoy and Paraguay's Fabrizio Zanotti, and three clear of a group that includes Sergio Garcia on his home course and Northern Irishman Michael Hoey in his first appearance since winning the Dunhill Links title.

Hoey was 6 under with three to play, then followed a bogey on the short 16th with a double bogey before holing from off the green for birdie at the last.

Garcia, without a victory for almost three years but much more like his old self this season, was down on 1 over after 10 holes, but birdied five of the next eight.

In contrast, 18-year-old defending champion Matteo Manassero had to settle for a 69 after kicking off with four successive birdies, while 20-year-old Tom Lewis, winner of the Portugal Masters in only his third professional start on Sunday, shot 71.

The Welwyn Garden City youngster, paired with Garcia and Manassero, was suffering from a virus and turned in a disappointing 3 over, then had four birdies in a row, but closed with another bogey.

Colin Montgomerie kept a bogey off his card like McGowan, but only one birdie meant a 70, while playing partner John Daly finished with back-to-back double bogeys for a 73.