26/10/2006 21:45 - (SA)
Sotogrande, Spain - European Order of Merit leader Paul Casey shot a 5-over 76 to trail by 10 strokes after the first round of the Volvo Masters on Thursday.
Jose Manual Lara of Spain shot a 5-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Graeme McDowell, Richard Green, and Niclas Fasth.
Casey said he struggled and was "feeling unwell" by the fifth hole, and on the 11th the Englishman was given a shot for his nauseous stomach.
"It wasn't too bad starting out, but (my stomach) wasn't feeling good, and it just got worse as the round went on," said Casey, who leaned on his bag for support through the final holes.
Casey started well with a birdie on No 2. But he bogeyed No 6, and then got a double bogey on No 7.
He was forced to lay up after his drive nestled in the left hand rough in front of some tree branches, and he subsequently three-putted from 20 feet.
The Englishman, hoping to become only the fifth player to win the European money crown since 1993, started the back nine with three consecutive bogeys.
Inconsistent putting
Padraig Harrington, second to Casey in the European season money title by $274 080 going into the final event, finished seven shots back and three ahead of Casey after a 73.
Harrington also started strongly, sinking a six-footer for birdie at the par-3 No 3. His approach on the par-4 fifth landed within a foot for an easy birdie, and he finished the front nine on 2-under 34.
Harrington's inconsistent putting - he missed eight putts from within eight feet in his round - caught up with him on the back nine. The Irishman missed par-saving putts on 12, 16 and 18.
"I suppose I could have shot worse, but luckily I played well from the start," Harrington said. "I hit a few poor putts to start and I didn't trust my reads after that. But better to play like this in the first round than the last."
David Howell, No 3 on the money list, holed a 60-foot chip from the bunker for a 70. No 4 Robert Karlsson dropped a 20-foot putt on the last hole for a 69 to stay in contention.
Casey said he won't be disappointed whatever the outcome.
"The Order of Merit is a reflection of the year's golf and I'm not going to get caught up in letting this ruin my entire year," Casey said. "So whatever happens, happens."
Johan Edfors and 1999 winner Miguel Angel Jimenez each had opening rounds of 68.
Leader Lara carded six birdies. A a poor drive into the right rough on the par-4 16th resulted in his only bogey.
"To win the Volvo Masters here in Valderrama would be like winning one of the Majors," Lara said.
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