Britain's Luke Donald gained quick consolation for missing out on Europe's PGA title last week by firing a seven-under 65 to earn a share of the Madrid Masters first-round lead Thursday. Donald hit two spectacular eagles to share top spot late in the day with fellow Britons Rhys Davies and Jamie Donaldson. A double-bogey on the 71st hole last week at Wentworth scuppered Donald's chances of glory in the PGA event and relegated him to joint second behind Simon Khan. This time on the 17th he made one of four birdies to go with his eagles after starting his round with a bogey. A Ryder Cup place is Donald's goal and now Irishman Paul McGinley suddenly found it on his radar too after a 66 earned him a share of fourth place with Dutchman Maarten Lafeber. McGinley, 43, is strongly tipped to be one of Colin Montgomerie's vice captains for this October's Ryder Cup match. But Montgomerie has given McGinley until after the British Open in July before he will approach him to act as an assistant in case he plays his way into the team. McGinley sank the winning putt to earn Europe the 2002 honours against the US and has been on the victorious side in each of his three Ryder Cups. A spectacular chip-in for an eagle on a flawless card also containing four birdies, showed McGinley was on his way back after another knee operation last November. “I've certainly not discounted playing my way into the team,” said McGinley who lies a distant 74th on the Ryder Cup standings, around 800,000 points behind the last automatic qualifier which is currently Briton Paul Casey. Davies and Donaldson, both Welshmen, took advantage of benign morning conditions to set the target. World No. 11 Martin Kaymer's indifferent spell continued, a 71 leaving him six adrift of the lead. Former world No. 2 Sergio Garcia could only manage a 72.
