Phillips crashed off the leaderboard with a hat-trick of bogeys from the fourth.

It was still very tight out in front, though, with five players on three under - Bennett, Hugo and Australian trio Scott, Peter Fowler and Peter O’Malley - and a further 10 on two under.

The 29-year-old from Camberley holed in one at the 209-yard 18th his ninth of the day to join Costantino Rocca, Steen Tinning and John Rystrom out in front at three under par.

It was the first ace of Phillips’ tour career and the four-iron shot, which landed just a few feet short of the hole, hit the flag and dropped in, earned him a weekend break and a bottle of champagne.

That was not quite the prize that Iain Pyman and Craig Cassells collected for the same feat in the event in 1994 and 1995.

Irish brewers Murphy’s were the sponsors then and the reward then was a day’s supply from their Cork factory - 13,750 pints - or a cash equivalent.

Phillips, who has missed his last four halfway cuts and 11 in all this season, had just birdied the long 17th and so turned in a three-under 33.

Westwood was still having his problems, though. He did birdie the long third, but a duffed chip two holes later led to another bogey and he returned to three over.

Former Ryder Cup Italian Rocca and Swede Rystrom began on the back nine as well, while Tinning, the Dane who won the Wales Open last year, had a hat-trick of birdies from the second.

Lee Westwood, last year’s European number one but still seeking his first victory of 2001, was struggling again at three over after bogeys at the 13th and 15th and then a six at the long 17th.

Westwood was paired with Scots Paul Lawrie and Andrew Oldcorn.

Lawrie, Open champion in 1999, was one under despite sending his driver off for repairs after spotting the sole of the clubhead had come a little loose, while new Volvo PGA champion Oldcorn was one over.

Raymond Russell’s mind probably flashed back four years when he began with a birdie.

In the 1997 British Masters on the course the 28-year-old from Edinburgh made the most brilliant start to a European tour event ever witnessed eight straight birdies.

There were two differences now, however. Firstly he was setting off on the tougher back nine and secondly there was a stiff wind.

And sure enough, the run stopped at one this time and after nine holes Russell was one over.

Ulsterman Darren Clarke, trying for a third successive win in the event, was among the later starters and was partnering Colin Montgomerie, who was hoping that a back strain would not hinder his chances.

As a precaution he pulled out of the pro-am yesterday.

English Leaderboard

3 under - Johan Rystrom (Swe) (after 12 holes)

Van Phillips (12)

Warren Bennett (9)

Jean Hugo (Rsa) (6)

2 under - Alastair Forsyth (9)

Steen Tinning (Den) (9)

Stephen Leaney (Aus) (9)

David Carter (6)

Adam Scott (Aus) (9)

Costantino Rocca (Ita) (9)

Marco Bernardini (Ita) (14)

Mark McNulty (Zim) (9)

Others:

1 under - Paul Lawrie (9)

1 over - Andrew Oldcorn (9)

3 over - Lee Westwood (9)