Former winner Colin Montgomerie finishes with a par on the last.

Among the big names in the field, John Daly and Colin Montgomerie are best-placed in a tie for 16th on –2. Daly's round would have been even better if not for two late dropped shots. But the big man was as irrepressible as ever. He is one of the longest-hitters around but took the opportunity to express his appreciation of a course where his strength is rarely called-for: "I like it here," he said. "I like traditional old courses like this. They are just obsolete, it seems, especially on our tour. We just don't get to see too many of them any more, and it's a pity."

Colin Montgomerie's fellow-Scot and former Open Champion Paul Lawrie is a shot back alongside Bernhard Langer and Jose Maria Olazabal. Michael Campbell finished on +1, as did defending champion Miguel Angel Jiminez, who gave a piece of his mind to a local media photographer who disturbed him as he prepared to putt to save par on the 15th. Nick Faldo is on +2.