Jimenez takes narrow lead

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD GB&Ire unless stated -6 M A Jimenez (Spa) -5 M Farry (Fra), P Hedblom (Swe), S Garcia (Spa), P Baker Selected others: -4 L Donald -2 E Els (SA) Clubhouse scores

Miguel Angel Jimenez carded a faultless six-under-par round of 65 to open up a one-shot lead after round one of the European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre.

Fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia and England's Peter Baker are among a group of four players a shot off the pace.

Defending champion Ernie Els ended the day four shots off the lead on two under but it could have been far worse.

Starting on the back nine, he was two over at the turn before four birdies on the way in lifted his chances.

Jimenez's impressive form is good news for European hopes ahead of the Ryder Cup, but the 40-year-old insisted he was not going to be distracted by looking into the future.

"I don't care at the moment even for the Ryder Cup," he said. "I care for the European Masters as we are here.

"I am enjoying myself here and I don't want to be looking to the future. I am relaxed and strong and if you look ahead, then it can all go wrong."

Although Jimenez was refusing to look beyond Crans-sur-Sierre, Garcia admitted the leader's form was good news for Europe.

"He is playing well and looking forward to playing at the Ryder Cup and hopefully he will keep playing like that," he said.

"Some people don't give him the credit but we all know how good a player he is."