LONDON • Two missed cuts and a poor Ryder Cup showing prompted Lee Westwood to seek solace in some vintage displays captured on film. The blast from the past worked a treat at the British Masters on Thursday.

The former world No. 1 surged through the field with a four-under 67 in the opening round, one stroke behind leaders Richard Sterne of South Africa, fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood, Finn Mikko Ilonen and Marc Warren of Scotland.

"I've been working on a couple of things on my swing, trying to get a swing thought, looking back at old videos when I played well and got in good positions," Westwood said.

"That's what golfers do, they try to remember what they did when they played well and if they have any video on it... try to remember what they were working on."

He missed the cut at last month's Italian Open and at last week's Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. In between, the 43-year-old was unable to reward captain Darren Clarke for giving him a wildcard pick at the Ryder Cup, failing to win a point as Europe lost 11-17 to the United States in Minnesota.

Westwood believes he let down his good friend Clarke "a little bit" at Hazeltine National.

At the Safeway Open, American Scott Piercy rolled in 12 birdies for a 10-under 62 to take the first-round lead at the Silverado Resort in Napa, California. He has a two-shot lead over England's Paul Casey and compatriot Patton Kizzire.

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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