EARLY riser Lee James faced an uphill battle to make today's halfway cut in the Andalucian Open.

The 35-year-old Parkstone-based professional carded a disappointing four-over-par 76, which included a double bogey six on his third from last hole, at Aloha yesterday afternoon.

James was due to tee off in the first group this morning at 7.50am with former Ryder Cup stars Ignacio Garrido and Peter Baker.

Starting on the 10th tee yesterday, James moved into red figures with a birdie at the 412-yard 12th, but dropped shots at the 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes.

A birdie on the second hole followed by four consecutive pars seemed to have steadied the ship for James before his double bogey six at the seventh.

James was 11 shots behind his former England team-mate and defending champion Lee Westwood who carded a 65 to lead by one shot after the first round.

Norway's Jan-Are Larsen and reigning English amateur champion Danny Willetts were joint second.

Willetts, 20, is playing in his first European Tour event.