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Newport - Graeme McDowell returned to the scene of two great successes to start the defence of his Wales Open title with a four-under-par 67 at Celtic Manor here on Thursday.
Last year the course saw Northern Ireland's McDowell, as well as winning the Wales Open, hole the winning putt that gave the European team a Ryder Cup victory over the United States.
He missed the cut at last week's PGA Championship in Wentworth, England, but returning to a happy hunting ground proved a tonic for the Ulsterman, who in a fortnight defends his US Open title.
McDowell holed an eagle at the 15th - the fifth hole of his round - before birdies at the sixth and the seventh.
It left McDowell in joint-third spot, behind early leader Keith Horne of South Africa, who shot a seven-under 64.
"Overall I'm very happy with the way I played," McDowell said. "I went a little cold with the putter in the middle, but I'm really flighting the ball correctly and can see my way around the course.
"It's definitely been a good hunting ground for me and I'm hoping to continue that. It's good, it's positive and I know I can go low here."
