Andy Sullivan believes the "brutal" conditions at Real Club Valderrama on the opening day of the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters have been a big leveller for the players.
Just five of the morning starters managed to break par on Thursday as wind and firm greens made a difficult course even harder.
During a mid round interview Sullivan, who is used to going low and won the English Championship with a score of 27 under par last month, said escaping with a level par 71 would be a good result due to the conditions.
The Englishman, who was one over par after nine holes when he gave his afternoon interview, said: "For anyone at home that wants to see a big leveller for a Tour pro, and see a moan and struggle, tune in today because it is brutal.
"It’s tough enough to hit fairways and greens around here in the flat calm and when there's a 20mph gusting wind it is just playing havoc out here and you have to sort of laugh, because if you didn’t laugh you’d break down and cry, it’s that hard.
"Obviously the greens are quite quick, and the wind is having so much affect on them. I think if anyone gets out of here in around level par you’re a happy man today, very happy."
Home favourite José María Olazábal is no stranger to Valderrama, having been a member of the winning European Ryder Cup team there in 1997.
He believes patience is the key when the wind is causing problems.
"You mainly have to stay patient," he said during a mid round interview.
"You’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to make bogeys.
"I’ll just try to play as consistent as possible, there’s not much else to do."
