ENGLAND'S David Howell, just back from a six-week injury layoff, leads the British Masters after an open-ing round of 66 at the Forest of Arden yesterday.
But the player who will remember the day more than anybody else is Colin Montgomerie - for the reception he received on his first appearance since separating from his wife.
"I didn't know what to expect, but walking onto the first tee was a delight for me. The support was fabulous," said the 40-year-old Scot. "I will remember that for a long time.
"It was important to get out there, play golf and put other parts of my life aside and get on with what I do best, my job. It was nice just to have the phone turned off for six hours.
"I gave serious thought to delaying my comeback, but I'm glad I'm here."
Montgomerie bogeyed two of his first three holes, the second of them a fluffed tap-in putt, but played the remainder in two under for a 72 that was the same as world number nine Retief Goosen, twice US Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, this week's defending champion Greg Owen and Miguel Angel Jimenez, twice a winner this season.
Howell goes into the second round one in front of five players - fellow Englishman Kenneth Ferrie, Scot Andrew Coltart, New Zealander Michael Campbell, South African Trevor Immelman and Argentina's Eduardo Romero.
COLLATED first round scores from the European Tour, Daily Telegraph Damovo British Masters at the Forest of Arden, Warwickshire, England (Gbr and Ire unless stated, par 72):(x) denotes amateurs. 66 David Howell; 67 Kenneth Ferrie, Andrew Coltart, Trevor Immelman (Rsa), Michael Campbell (Nzl), Eduardo Romero (Arg); 68Maarten Lafeber (Ned), Raphael Jacquelin (Fra), Jarrod Moseley (Aus), Brian Davis, Stuart Little. Selected others: 70 Sandy Lyle, Darren Clarke, Ian Woosnam; 71 Lee Westwood; 72 Nick Dougherty; , Colin Montgomerie; 75Nick Faldo
Article
