McGowan puts Donald in Madrid Masters shade

England's Ross McGowan overshadowed world number one and defending champion Luke Donald to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Madrid Masters on Thursday. The 29-year-old McGowan won his only European Tour title here two years ago, but a wrist injury then saw him miss out on Colin Montgomerie’s Ryder Cup side and his best finish this year was 18th in the Africa Open. "I think I like Madrid. That was a much better round than I’ve been putting together recently," said McGowan, who carded his lowest European Tour round for three years with an eight under par 64. "It’s been a pretty tough year with a couple of injuries but it’s been improving week to week and this week it really seems to have come together." One shot behind are Australian Brett Rumford and local favourite Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who thrilled the home fans until a three-putt bogey at the final hole cost him a share of the overnight lead. McGowan had three birdies in his first four holes before a bogey at the sixth. But a run of five successive birdies from the ninth gave him the lead with a 30 foot putt at the 12th and an approach to seven feet at the next the starring shots. Donald carded a 68 to be four shots off the pace. "I felt like I left a few out there. A couple of careless mistakes but a lot of solid golf in there too," said Donald.