• Madrid Masters, Round One

Donald shrugs off disappointment to lead in Madrid

Rhys Davies is tied at the top © Getty Images

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Luke Donald bounced back from his disappointment at the PGA Championship by shooting a seven-under-par 65 on day one at the Madrid Masters.

Donald, who finished second at Wentworth after leading at halfway, shrugged off a first-hole bogey to end the day in a three-way tie for the lead.

After he finished the front nine at four under, Donald's round stalled - until an eagle at 16 catapulted him up the standings.

He is joined at the top by Jamie Donaldson and Rhys Davies, who continued his successful year by carding a bogey-free round.

Davies is well positioned to seal his second European Tour title of 2010 - but he was not entirely satisfied with his performance at Real Sociedad. "I could have shot less," he said.

One shot back from the lead, Paul McGinley put an end to a disappointing run - he finished 15-over in Mallorca two weeks ago - by signing off on a 66 that peaked with an eagle on 16.

"Today I had no bogeys, so that's always a good day," McGinley, who shares second place with Maarten Lafeber, said. "I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens and it was all very comfortable. It's a plotters golf course, you can't over-power it, and those courses suit me."

Martin Kaymer, who looks set to take his place in Europe's Ryder Cup team, is lurking ominously behind McGinley on one-under. Kaymer looked set to challenge the leaders after reaching the turn three below par, but he faded badly on the back nine.

Sergio Garcia was three over through six holes, but he fought back to finish his day at level par. Inconsistency has been the scourge of Garcia this year, and it was the same story in Madrid - four bogeys, four birdies - as he failed to gather any momentum.

Garcia will need to raise his game if he is to attract the eye of Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. Speaking about the tournament, Garcia said: "I would love to be in the team. I need to get my working suit on and make sure that I get into the team. At the moment I am on the outside looking in."

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