Luiten takes Wales Open golf lead

Joost Luiten led the Wales Open by one shot at six under par after the first round on Thursday as the buildup to next week’s Ryder Cup gave some golfers a chance to hone their game.

The Dutchman had a bogey and seven birdies, including one at the final hole.

Nicolas Colsaerts set a European Tour record for the longest drive when he smashed the ball 447 yards (408m) on his way to an eagle at the 18th to sit joint second, one shot back.

He is joined by Scotland’s Andrew McArthur after both players carded 66 on the par-71 layout.

The 31-year-old Colsaerts, who was the first Belgian to play the Ryder Cup as part of Jose Maria Olazabal’s team that memorably defeated the USA two years ago at Medinah, admitted he is feeling the disappointment of missing out next week at Gleneagles, Scotland.

European captain Paul McGinley is in attendance at the Celtic Manor Resort this week, the venue for Ryder Cup victory over the USA in 2010, in order to put the finishing touches on his preparations.

McGinley had dinner with four of his players, Jamie Donaldson, Lee Westwood, Stephen Gallacher and Thomas Bjorn on Wednesday, which didn’t go unnoticed by Colsaerts and others.

Donaldson is the highest placed Ryder Cup player in the field after a one-under par 70 left him five shots back.

“I saw them having dinner and thought ‘I wish I was in that room,” said Colsaerts, who picked up a fourball victory alongside Westwood at Medinah in 2012.

“It’s their adventure and I am not part of it, but once you play in one Ryder Cup, you don’t want to miss another one.”

However, he marked a sensational opening round with his monster drive and is in good shape going into day two.

“I thought it was too far right but it’s all downhill and downwind and it must have luged down the fairway,” Colsaerts continued.

“If all the stars align you can hit it a long way.”

McGinley requested ahead of the tournament to have the course set up similar to the Ryder Cup layout which suited Colsaert’s playing partner Tommy Fleetwood who is three shots off the lead and won the Jonnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last year.

“The par fives are a little bit easier around Gleneagles I think, but apart from that, it’s similar,” said the Englishman, who is not part of McGinley’s team.

“I like the course and I enjoy playing it. It suits me and if there’s a few more similarities to Gleneagles I’ll be happy.”

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