THE build-up to this week's Open Championship has been dominated by a prolonged period of soul-searching following an eight-year absence of European success. But yesterday, at Carnoustie, the continent's past, present and future combined to silence the critics.

Forty-year-old Paul McGinley carded a four-under-par round of 67 to prove that Europe's elder statesmen remain capable of springing a surprise, while teenage amateur Rory McIlroy produced a sparkling 68 to hint that the continent's next generation of golfers are ready to make their mark.

But it was Sergio Garcia, whose opening 65 has given him a two-shot lead over the chasing pack, who did most to suggest that he is presently the most likely candidate to follow up Paul Lawrie's dramatic success in the last Carnoustie Open.

Garcia carded seven birdies and just one dropped shot as Carnoustie proved far more inviting that it had been when Lawrie claimed the Claret Jug in 1999.

The Spaniard's run of four birdies in the first five holes of the back nine proved the highlight of arguably the most polished round of his career.

His performance was in marked contrast to his opening round eight years ago, when a nightmare 89 left him weeping on his mother's shoulder.

"I suppose it's a bit of an improvement," said Garcia, who went off in the final group of last year's Open, only to implode alongside Tiger Woods. "I only mentioned it to my caddy once, and that was on the first hole. When I rolled in the birdie putt, I said, 'Well that's already four better than last time'.

"I learned a lot from what happened back then, but this is not about revenge.

"This is about putting myself into a position where I can make a really strong challenge on Sunday. Provided I keep on holing my putts, I think that's possible."

This has already been a monumental week for Spanish golf, with three-time Open champion Seve Ballesteros announcing his retirement, and Garcia admits it would be fitting if either he or compatriot Miguel Angel Jiminez, who is currently on two under, paid the ultimate tribute to their mentor.

"It would be like a fairytale if one of us won it after everything that has happened this week," he said.

"It would be amazing. But we have to keep things in perspective and remember this is only the beginning."

Garcia is two shots clear of McGinley after his long-term Ryder Cup team-mate finally rediscovered the form that has deserted him in recent years.

It is more than two years since the Irishman last finished in the top three of a tournament, and there have been times during the lean spell when he feared for his future.

"I'd got to the stage where I was wondering if I was ever going to challenge for anything again," admitted McGinley.

"It was like that quote that Tom Weiskopf used - when he was playing well, he could never understand how he ever played badly, and when he was playing badly, he could never understand how he ever played well. That pretty much summed it up.

"It's been hugely disappointing and it's hit me really hard. It's been horrible to be up there in the top 20 in the world and to plummet as quickly as I have."

McGinley's dramatic fall from grace meant that he was not involved in either of the year's opening two majors, but yesterday's performance, which saw him begin with three whirlwind birdies in the opening four holes, means that he is certainly involved in The Open.

"I didn't watch The Masters this year and I didn't watch the US Open either," said the hero of Europe's 2004 Ryder Cup win.

"It's hard to watch when you're not in a major tournament and your peers and contemporaries are up there contending.

"That's a massive motivation to produce a round like this one, and I think my course management, ball control and putting were all spot on."

McGinley might be nearing the end of his golfing career, but 19-year-old McIlroy is likely to have many more Open championships ahead of him.

The Northern Irishman, who fittingly hails from a town called Holywood, qualified for this weekend's tournament by winning last year's European Amateur Stroke Play title in Italy, and yesterday's bogey-free round of 68 drew inevitable comparisons with Justin Rose's accomplished display as an amateur at Royal Birkdale.

"I started by taking in the atmosphere and trying to enjoy it, although I was very nervous for the first few holes," said McIlroy, who is a former World Junior Champion. "I've played in a few European Tour events but this is huge.

"To shoot something in the 60s was amazing and my aim is still to make the cut and win the silver medal (for leading amateur). If I shoot another 68, though, I will be right up there.

"I'm in the Walker Cup team in September and then I will turn professional, but my ultimate ambition is to win this tournament one day so hopefully this is a stepping stone for that."

After taking up golf as a two-year-old, McIlory quickly established himself as Northern Ireland's leading junior, and the youngster is keen to praise Darren Clarke for the role he has played in his development.

"I met Darren at my tenth birthday party at the Portrush club and ever since then he has helped me," he said. "I just got to know him from being around the club and he has been great for me."