Westwood's No 1 ranking put at risk by double bogey

(GETTY IMAGES)

Lee Westwood double-bogeyed the final hole of his first round at the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea yesterday to finish six shots behind leader Ireland's Damien McGrane.

Westwood, who returned to the top of the world rankings following his victory at the Indonesian Masters last week and Luke Donald's failure to win in the United States, made a solid start at the Blackstone Golf Club in Incheon before ending with a six at the par-four ninth – his 18th of the day. He carded a 72, well behind McGrane who had eight birdies in his 66.

McGrane, the winner of the China Open in 2008, holds a one-shot lead over Chile's Felipe Aguilar, England's Richard Finch and home favourite Park Sang-hyun.

Westwood said: "I'm still in contention. On the first 15 holes I played very nicely and gave myself a lot of chances without really making any putts."

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez carded a 70, along with Dustin Johnson, while Ian Poulter had a 74 while three-times major winner Ernie Els returned a 73.

Donald was two under after six holes in the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last night. Justin Rose endured a tough day, though, carding a five-over-par 77 featuring two double-bogeys.