• Open de Espana, Round One

Rock finds his voice in Ryder Cup race

ESPN staff
May 3, 2012
Alvaro Quiros found the conditions a test on Thursday © Getty Images
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England's Robert Rock is on track to boost his Ryder Cup hopes after finishing day one in a tie for second place at the Open de Espana.

Playing on the Sevilla course designed by European captain Jose Maria Olazabal, Rock finished four under through 18 holes, one off the lead held by former US PGA champion Shaun Micheel, the world No. 608, who took advantage of the friendlier conditions later in the day following torrential early rain.

Rock, a winner in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, is currently 18th on the European Points List and therefore not currently in possession of one of the automatic Ryder Cup spots, but he stands to make significant gains in the race if he can replicate his Thursday form across the final three days.

He managed two eagles - at 13 and 15, both par fives - in an eventful round of 68 that also featured four birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. The swirling winds made iron play difficult, and Rock struggled to scramble together pars when he didn't find the putting surfaces in regulation.

Rock shares second place with Spain's Jorge Campillo and England's Danny Willett.

Two more Ryder Cup hopefuls, the Italian duo Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero are locked at two under.

Simon Dyson is one under, while Paul Lawrie laboured round in six over, three shots worse than Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Alvaro Quiros is one over.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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