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Rose eyeing Order of Merit

01/11/2007

England's Justin Rose hit a hole-in-one at the Volvo Masters to remain in contention at the tournament and in the Order of Merit race.

Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell carded a three-under-par 68 to lead after the first round at Valderrama, but it was Rose who stole the headlines.

Fighting to overhaul Ernie Els to win the European Tour Order of Merit, Rose played with a stomach virus and hit a courageous one-under-par 70 to finish two shots off the lead.

The highlight of his round was a magnificent 189-yard hole-in-one on the third hole.

"I've never ached so much in my whole life," said Rose. "I picked up some sort of bug, had a bad night and was throwing up too - I'm delighted with one-under, to be honest with you.

"I knew it was going to be tough out there playing last, with the wind just getting stronger and the greens drying out.

"I didn't have the energy to get frustrated out there, so that worked well in my favour."

Commenting on the hole-in-one, Rose said: "I knew it would be a good six iron and at the top of its flight I said 'Go', and when it landed I went 'In'. And it disappeared."

Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley hit a brilliant eagle from 155 yards on the 15th and is well placed on two-under-par.

Open champion Padraig Harrington, who is also in the running to retain his Order of Merit, hit five birdies on the last nine holes to finish on level-par.

In other notable scores, Englishman Ian Poulter came in on five-over, Sergio Garcia is a further shot back, while Paul Casey posted a disastrous round of nine-over-par.

Two late bogeys saw Colin Montgomerie finish on one-over-par in difficult conditions.