Wentworth, United Kingdom – Finland's Miko Ilonen was the early pacemaker as the European PGA Championship started at Wentworth on Thursday.
Ilonen shot a five-under par 67, finishing with three birdies in his last five holes, to go into a two-shot lead over Italy's Matteo Manassero who was round in 69, Scotland's Scott Henry and Keith Horne from South Africa who went to the turn in 32.
Illonen, a two-time winner on the European Tour, was second in the China Open at the start of the month but in ten visits to Wentworth had a best finish of 15th.
The 33-year old said: “It has not been the best of places of me but I have always enjoyed coming over here – hopefully I can pull together some scores this week.”
But Rory McIlroy was finding it a struggle despite his pre-tournament assertions that rumours of his imminent switch of management company would not hinder his game.
The Northern Irishman finished two-over par after making five bogeys in six holes from the 14th whilst his compatriot and playing partner Graeme McDowell handed in the same score of 74 after a horrific double bogey seven on the last.
Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez, the winner here in 2008, came back in 40 to finish four-over par.
Elsewhere former world number one Martin Kaymer finished with a 70, two-under par alongside Ireland's Shane Lowry and England's Oliver Fisher.
McIlroy's Ryder Cup team mate Justin Rose had a steady opening day finishing on level par whilst defending champion Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and South Africa's Ernie Els were amongst the later starters, alongside Sergio Garcia who was the subject of pre-tournament controversy over his remarks concerning Tiger Woods. But those out in the afternoon were expected to struggle as the weather was forecast to take a turn for the worse.
European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley was one of a clutch early finishers on 71 alongside South African duo Branden Grace and Richard Sterne plus India's SSP Chowrasia.
But England's Chris Wood – who won the Qatar Masters in January – was up against it at six-over par after a seven at the par-5 17th. – Sapa-AFP