Westwood messes up his return

Having discovered the joys of fatherhood, Lee Westwood was today reacquainted with the frustrations of chasing honours on the golf course.

Both can be a messy business as West-wood, who pulled out of last month's US Masters in order to attend the birth of his son Sam, revealed: "I've been wee-ed on, poo-ed on and thrown-up on - and all at the same time.

"He's got some talent, my boy, I tell you. The one at 5am is particularly attractive!"

His opening round in the £1 million Benson and Hedges International Open at The Belfry was hardly a thing of beauty either.

The European No1 found the water, was forced to hit out from the trees, and found several bunkers on his way to a one over par 73.

This was only Westwood's second start on the European Tour this year, and after coming in seven shots behind clubhouse leaders Paul McGinley of Ireland and Sweden's Henrik Stenson he immediately headed for the practice range in an effort to eradicate the ring rust.

McGinley, who yesterday won the pro-am in the company of former England cricket star Chris Broad, maintained the consistency that has earned two top 10 finishes in his last three events to card a six under 66.

The 34-year-old Surrey-based Dubliner was particularly pleased to have scored well on the course where Europe will attempt to win back the Ryder Cup from the United States in September.