Begay defies adversity in Spain - Thursday, April 26, 2007

MADRID, Spain -- Notah Begay III shrugged off bad weather and adversity to take an early two-shot lead in the rain-affected Spanish Open first round on Thursday.

Despite not even seeing the course until playing the opening round, American Begay produced one of his best efforts since qualifying for the European Tour after losing his PGA Tour card.

His six-birdie four-under-par 68, which he played in three parts because of rain suspensions, earned him the clubhouse lead despite some bad luck.

Not only did he not have a chance to gauge the course because his luggage had not arrived, he also had to battle with the sciatic nerve problems in his back that have troubled him for some time.

"I had no chance for a practice round because my luggage didn't arrive until late on Tuesday and I wasn't in the pro-am; I didn't even walk the course, so I played the course blind,"Begay told reporters.

"I'm getting used to the bad weather in Europe and I'm fully healthy again but the sciatic nerve was really bothering me. The pain comes and goes."

The 34-year-old, languishing 212th on the money list, knows he has a battle on to keep his card in Europe and he plans to play 22 events to ensure he keeps his playing rights.

"It's a roller-coaster ride but playing like today gives me hope," he added.

Spaniards Miguel Angel Jimenez and Carlos Rodiles and Irishman Paul McGinley share second place at the clubhouse point. Tournament favourite Darren Clarke faded to a 75 to trailBegay by seven strokes.

Swede Steven Jeppesen and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy are four under with holes to complete on Friday morning.

With eight hours lost to bad weather, only a quarter of the 152 field managed to finish their first rounds.