European Open - Day one digest

Everything you need to know from day one in Germany.

Jannik De Bruyn thrilled the home fans, Laurie Canter was enjoying his new kit, Jack Davidson was feeling at home and Søren Kjeldsen joined a very exclusive club on day one of the European Open.

Here is everything you need to know from day one at Green Eagle Golf Courses.

De Bruyn does de business

De Bruyn tamed one of the toughest tests on the DP World Tour as he carded a stunning 64 to open up a four-shot lead. The 7,458-yard, par-73 Porsche Nord Course at Green Eagle Golf Courses is one of the most fearsome layouts players face all season but home favourite De Bruyn carded 11 birdies - including four to finish his round - to get to nine under in Hamburg. He would have matched the course record had preferred lies not been in place and he bettered his own lowest DP World Tour round by three shots to lead the way from Canter and Davidson.

New kit, same Canter

Even when playing well, golfers are always looking for refinements in a bid to improve and that was exactly the case for Canter as he made some significant changes to his bag ahead of enjoying a strong start. Despite finishing in a tie for seventh at last week’s Soudal Open, the Englishman took the decision to implement an entire new set of irons and shafts for the second event on the European Swing. Buoyed by an encouraging performance in Belgium, the confidence in his game rolled into a new week in Germany as his fresh equipment helped him to card a 68. “I've changed some stuff in my bag this week, which I know people will probably find mad,” he said. “As golfers, I think we're always messing about [trying to improve].”

Davidson finds his groove

Davidson has made just one cut from eight starts in his 2024 rookie season but he found his form in spectacular style. He was level par after ten holes with two birdies and two bogeys but then picked up five shots in his last eight holes to fly up the leaderboard. The length of the North Course is one of its great protectors but the Welshman was relishing the challenge and even feeling familiar in Hamburg. "I didn't have any expectations because I hadn't played many of these courses," he said. "Having seen this course Tuesday, I thought it's very similar to one of the courses I play back in Wales. It sets up very long, very wet so I quite liked it from the off."

700 up for Søren

When Kjeldsen hit his tee-shot off the tenth at 11.20am, he became the fourth player to make 700 appearances on the DP World Tour. Sitting behind just David Howell, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and Sam Torrance on the all-time list, the four-time winner has secured his place as a Tour great but at 49, he has no intention of slowing down. “I'll certainly take it tournament by tournament, but for sure I'd love to be on top of that list, and Howler knows that!" he said. “But, we'll see, 700 is a good number. But you know, if I could get to 724 then it would be even more special.”

No putters required

Danny Willett and Jesper Svensson weren't messing about.