KEY POINTS:
ALVESLOHE, Germany - British golfer Simon Khan's decision to put in overtime on his putting and copy British Open champion Padraig Harrington's grip reaped the dividends of the Players Championship of Europe first-round lead on Friday (NZ time).
Khan slotted in a 9-metre eagle on the third after running in two 20-footers (about 6m) for birdies on his way to a seven-under 65 that earned him a one-shot advantage over fellow Britons Lee Slattery and Oliver Wilson.
New Zealand's Michael Campbell and Paul Casey, Niclas Fasth and Andres Romero all shot 68s on a windless day on the Gut Kaden course.
Campbell said he felt tired and it was a hard at the office after playing in the Brtish Open which ended on Monday (NZ time).
Casey said rain in the last few weeks had made the greens harder to read.
Khan decided to spurn watching most of last week's British Open action on the television in favour of sharpening up his putting, which he felt cost him a place at Carnoustie.
He did find time to watch Harrington's dramatic victory in the end -- and the Irishman's putting grip.
"I was really disappointed not to play in the Open," Khan said.
"I felt I was better off doing some putting practice.
"I went back to an old putter, changed my grip to how I putted as a kid, with my finger down the shaft. I noticed Harrington does that, although with his other hand.
"It felt really good straight away and on the first three holes -- bang, bang, bang. It made such a difference."
Slattery has an extra reason to win a big prize this week, apart from trying to move up from 170th place on the money-list. His Lancashire apartment has suffered US$60,000 ($75,670) of damage in the floods that are ravaging some parts of England.
"I bought a flat at Birkdale especially for next year's (British) Open and it's been flooded," Slattery said.
"A drain overflowed and the water came in through the front door."
Swedes Henrik Stenson and Fasth can overtake Harrington on top of Europe's money list with victory on Sunday.
Fasth is three strokes off Khan's lead and Stenson five.
Britain's Casey is also three shots behind Khan. Last year's order of merit runner-up, edged out by Harrington in the final counting event of 2006, the Volvo Masters, has decided to model himself on the Irish major winner.
"I would very much like my career to emulate Padraig's," Casey, who came back from a torn back muscle to finish tied 27th at Carnoustie last week, said.
"If I can snag an order of merit in the next few years and then go on to win a major like he has, I would be happy."
- REUTERS
