Having assured himself of a place here by making the cut last week, Hansen expected to be the only player on his own for Round 1 (from a final field of 57). He is a quick player, so the option of having another Pro play with him and the wait for his partner was one he dismissed. Instead he had a lady marker whom he joked post round was not able to keep up with him and if one thing was never more certain, his fellow Dane Soren Hansen and Gary Murphy, in Match 2, were not going to be waiting for him.

The result –a no bogey 66 for which Hansen was just as proud of having kept his concentration as having played some quality golf in perfect conditions.

‘I couldn’t find an spike marks and I couldn’t really find any divots … I couldn’t find anything out there (except the bottom of the hole)’, is a best summary of the Press conference as Hansen made five putts of less than 15ft and two putted when he reached the par five 7th in two.

That was the good news from the early starters. David Lynn liked putting sixes on his card in and 82 to probably book his place as first off tomorrow, although a few others seemed to be trying to get lose to the starting time guaranteed with no waits and the smoothest surfaces.

Angel Cabrera spoilt what could have been a 68 but like the first 18 players in, not even possibly the longest hitter on Tour could get anywhere near the infamous 17th with its Seve remodelled green. Cabrera made 7 at a hole where the first red number only came courtesy of Phil Golding, French Open champion for this year.

The next good score was from Carlos Rodiles, a 68 made with a steadiness that the young Spaniard would have liked from the rest of his year. He said he needed to be patient and really only made one error at the 17th – 3 putts from 10ft. It was patience which a far portion of the field were not having.

Paul Casey started 6, 5, 3 8 (a par 5) and had to think hard about what to do next. Nick Faldo drew two birdies in his first four holes. Freddie Jacobsen just hit it close. Three times in his first nine, the man of the low slung trousers hit short irons to un-missable distances (1.5 ft or less) and added to that a 2 putt birdie at 7. He equalled the front nine from Hansen and then went two better coming home, this time with three birdie putts of over 20ft before starting to home in on the flag with an 8iron to 16 after bogeying the 15th. The double winner’s radar was well and truly back on track when he found the 10ft square section of the 17th that would get him just a foot from the flag for a birdie. With a par at the last, Freddie was in the clubhouse with a 64

Paul Casey, having dropped only one shot coming home, was two foot to long and faced the chip down the ‘lino’ to save his par – which he duly did.

Faldo was home in 39 (with a 3 to finish) for 74. Of the long time practisers, Adam Scott rescued his round with a 33 home for a 72 whilst Poulter went backwards with his own 39. Sergio was home in 33 (a la Scott) for a 71 to match Jose Maria Olazabal.

The half of the Defending Champions? Monty took six at the 17th for a 71 but that was a very good score on a day that many found more than tough. In the ‘race’ for pole position, David Lynn was to be disappointed. He would not be fastest round Valderrama on Friday. That position should have gone to Andrew Coltart, out in 44 and home in 38. Unfortunately for the affable Scotsman, his fellow Countryman Alistair Forsyth was probably furious after an opening nine of 45 and came back in a much more respectable 37. Would the speed record go … you can find out tomorrow.

Of more local interest, John Bickerton is very handily placed after his own 71. He will be out at lunch and could be in for a very big week.