DEFENDING Wales Open champion Graeme McDowell is ready to continue his remarkable run of success at the Celtic Manor.

The 2010 winner, who secured Europe’s famous victory over the Americans in last October’s Ryder Cup, is just three shots off the lead after day one of this year’s tournament.

And he’s feeding off the memories of the last 12 months in his quest for a third title on the Twenty Ten course.

“Walking down 17, that was the moment when I had a quick flashback to the Ryder Cup,” he said.

“I had hairs on the back of my neck. That was amazing.”

Birdies at the sixth, seventh and 12th and an eagle on the par four 15th hole left crowd favourite G-Mac with a four under par round of 67 with South African Keith Horne out in front on seven under.

“I’d call it a decent start,” said the Northern Irish star, who also won the US Open in a stellar 2010.

“I’m generally very happy with four under par. There were a lot of positives out there and a 67 is five shots better than my opening round last year so I’m very happy.

“There was a decent turnout and it’s weird. It really feels like the Irish Open. I feel like I’ve got a lot of support in the crowd, like I’m an adopted Welshman.

“It’s great and it was enjoyable to shoot a few under par and hopefully play my way into the weekend.”

There was no such joy for McDowell’s European Ryder Cup winning captain Colin Montgomerie who started badly and just got worse on a day to forget.

Monty opened with three successive bogies and ended with a double bogey seven on the par five 18th to slump to an opening round score of 78.

At seven over par he is highly unlikely to make the cut and he won’t look back on this visit to Wales with any fondness.

“I started bogey, bogey, bogey and I felt like just going home to be honest,” said the dejected Scot. “I’m too tired really. I’ll just waste my time tomorrow and then go home.”

Fellow Ryder Cup hero Miguel Angel Jimenez also struggled to a two over par 73.

But Peter Hanson fared better, the Swede just one shot off the lead on six under overnight.