Olazabal back in the groove with opening round of 70

Published Date: 10 October 2008 IT MAY have been three months since Jose Maria Olazabal played a competitive round of golf, but he showed no signs of losing his touch as an opening one-under-par 70 at the Madrid Masters left him three shots off the lead. The 42-year-old has been out of the game because of injury and fatigue since narrowly failing to qualify for the Open in June, but this comeback – his third during an injury-hit career – is on track. Englishman Paul Broadhurst, Swede Magnus Carlsson and Australian Marcus Fraser are the leaders, having shot 67s, and are hotly pursued by a cluster of five players, including French Open winner Pablo Larrazabal, one shot back on three under. Miguel Angel Jimenez, who would move to third in the European Tour Order of Merit if he wins here, is one of 15 players two shots behind... [read full story]