McLardy edges closer to Volvo event

MALLORCA, Spain -- South African Andrew McLardy took giant steps towards qualifying for next week's big-money Volvo Masters by claiming an early share of the lead in the first round of the Mallorca Classic.

McLardy's four-under-par 66 at the Pula Golf Club was soon matched by Ireland's Gary Murphy -- with the pair a stroke ahead of Graeme Storm and James Hepworth plus Swede Joakim Backstrom.

Tournament favorite, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, was a further shot back before play had to be suspended just before 1200 GMT due to lightning on the course.

While Murphy will have to vault 25 places to make the elite line-up at Valderrama next week, his co-leader McLardy lies 62nd on The European Tour Order of Merit, only two spots away from the season-ending finale in Spain.

The 33-year-old Zimbabwe-born McLardy, with two second places this season and four in all, welcomed his good start as he produced a flawless round.

"I should have sealed my Volvo Masters place last week in Portugal. I only needed 25th place but shot a 76 in the final round and fell away," said McLardy.

"It's a second bite of the cherry for me. I started hitting the ball close, that gave me confidence, and then I started putting well."

Murphy, too, had a faultless card. The Irishman, though, needs to surge from 85th place on the money-list to make next week's finale.

Garcia, looking to go one better than last year's second place, admitted to rustiness caused by a five week lay-off and took nearly nine holes to find his range.

"I was swinging too narrow but after 18 I felt like I had a bit more width and rhythm," commented Garcia, who added three birdies in seven holes after the turn. "Unfortunately, I had three really good putts that didn't go in."

A total of 60 players will have to resume their first round on Friday morning. E-mail to a friend