Spain’s Eduardo De La Riva was the early leader as the Bankia Madrid Masters began at El Encin Golf Hotel.
The 29 year old has never had a top ten finish on The European Tour and lost his card a year after coming through Qualifying School in 2002.
But the former Spanish Boys Champion had a hattrick of birdies from the seventh, which allied with gains at the first and 11th took him into a one shot lead.
At five under through 12 De La Riva was a stroke clear of Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and Argentine pair Tano Goya and Cesar Monasterio.
Last year’s Open de España champion Alvaro Quiros was amongst those on three under, with defending champion and World Number One Luke Donald a shot further back after 11 holes of his opening round.
