Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren turned in a four under par 32 to set the early pace on the opening day of the Open de España.
The 21 year old, who has made only three cuts in his last 16 European Tour starts, birdied the first, third, eighth and ninth at Parador de El Saler to reach four under par.
That was two clear of the Qualifying School graduate’s nearest challengers, who included former Ryder Cup stars Paul Casey and Phillip Price.
They were joined on two under par by Chile’s Felipe Aguilar, France’s Anthony Snobeck, England’s Paul Waring and home favourite José Manuel Lara in the early stages.
Two more stars with Ryder Cup experience - World Number 13 Sergio Garcia and Italian Edoardo Molinari - were on one under after eight and six holes respectively.
Miguel Angel Jiménez was among the afternoon starters on his first appearance since breaking his leg in a December skiing accident, as was Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal.
Lagergren dropped his first shot of the day at the long 11th, and was joined in a tie for the lead when 46 year old Price - best remembered for beating Phil Mickelson in Europe’s 2002 Ryder Cup triumph at the Belfry - holed a seven footer at the 14th.
Garcia sank a ten foot putt at the third, his 12th, to join the ever-increasing group on two under.
