Rumford overcomes shaky start for lead
CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland -- Brett Rumford recovered from an unnerving start to charge into the opening-round lead at the European Masters on Thursday.
The 32-year-old Australian sent his tee shot into the crowd at the first hole and struck a female spectator.
European Masters Leaderboard
1. Rumford (-9)
2. Dyson (-8)
T-3. Jimenez (-6)
T-3. Romero (-6)
T-3. Nilsson (-6)
T-3. Jaidee (-6)
T-3. Noren (-6)
T-3. Willett (-6)
• Complete scores
Shaken by the incident, he slipped to 2-over-par by the fifth before rattling off nine birdies and an eagle in the next 13 holes to post a 62.
The 9-under-par score, which would have equaled the course record but for the fact preferred lies were being used, left Rumford a stroke ahead of Briton Simon Dyson and three ahead of a large group in third place.
"I leaked my drive right and my ball hit the lady right on the bridge of her eye and she was taken to hospital," Rumford said of the incident.
"I felt really bad about it. They took her off for treatment before I actually got to see her but I got a report on the second hole.
"At that point I wasn't thinking a 9-under score was on the cards but momentum started swinging in the right direction and I got the putter running hot," added Rumford.
While the Australian, who won the tourney in 2007, was focusing on trying to win his fourth European Tour title, Dyson was among a host of players beginning the campaign to earn enough points to qualify for next year's Ryder Cup.
Dyson has never played in the biennial team event and was delighted to be in top form, having won the Dutch Open two weeks ago.
"I probably should have got closer to a Ryder Cup place than I have done," he said. "I'm probably as confident now as I've ever been."
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, 45, a three-time Ryder Cup player, was at 65 alongside Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Christian Nilsson and Alexander Noren of Sweden, Briton Danny Willett and Argentine Andres Romero.
Last year's runner-up, Rory McIlroy, began in spectacular style with a birdie and an eagle-two but found it hard to pick up shots after that and had to settle for a 67.
Tournament favorite Lee Westwood got off to a slow start, shooting a 71.
The $2.8 million tournament in the Swiss Alps is the first in Europe to be co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
