Ireland's Paul McGinley was today aiming to take another small step closer to a Ryder Cup debut in the second round of the Moroccan Open.
McGinley enjoyed a one-shot lead overnight after a first round six-under-par 67 at Dar Es Salam, with England's Neil Cheetham, Swede Michael Jonzon and America's Craig Hainline all on five under.
Hereford's David Park, runner-up two years ago, was another shot back after a 69 alongside England's Sam Walker -- but defending champion Jamie Spence could only manage a three-over-par 76 and faces a battle to make the cut.
McGinley has his sights set on a Ryder Cup debut this year and currently lies 14th in the qualifying table after a consistent start to the season, making the cut in each of his first five events, with a worst finish of 33rd.
But the 34-year-old Dubliner knows he has a long way to go before clinching a spot in the team that will attempt to regain the trophy lost in controversial circumstances at Brookline.
He said: "It's way too early to start talking about it. I'm going to have to at least quadruple what I've earned till now."
The two Worcestershire players fared less well. Crowle's John Bickerton was seven shots off the lead after shooting a 74, while Evesham's Jeremy Robinson faces a battle to make the cut after carding a 77
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