SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland - Teenager Rory McIlroy came within one stroke of the Crans-sur-Sierre course record to take a three-shot lead after the opening round of the European Masters on Thursday. The Briton threatened Argentine Eduardo Romero's 62 set in 2000 with nine birdies for an eight-under 63 that left the 19-year-old three clear of Argentine rookie Julio Zapata and fellow Britons Garry Houston and Kyron Sullivan. European Ryder Cup team member Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain was within two shots of McIlroy before the tournament's highest-profile player bogeyed the last three holes to drift five off the pace. McIlroy has had a mediocre season after bursting on to the scene last year when he claimed his European Tour card after only two events as a professional. The Northern Irishman has missed the cut in his last three events to slip to 89th on the money list. Four birdies in five holes before the turn and three in his last five holes changed his fortunes, though, as he bettered his previous best score as a tour pro by four strokes. “I've had a lot of time on my hands at the weekends so I've worked hard and put it to good use especially my putting,” McIlroy told reporters after taking only 26 putts. McIlroy's role model is fellow Ulsterman Darren Clarke, who was overlooked by captain Nick Faldo for a Ryder Cup wildcard on Sunday. Michael Campbell continued his comeback with a 69. The New Zealander only got into the event by finishing in the top-10 last week.
