Graeme Storm fired six birdies in his opening round to take a share of the clubhouse lead on day one of the Porsche European Open.
Beginning his round at the tenth tee, Storm made a fine start, picking up a shot at his first hole before making two further gains on his way to reaching the turn in 33.
After notching another birdie at the short second, Storm then rolled in his seven foot birdie putt at the seventh, another par three, to move to five under par.
The 37 year old then closed his round with another gain at the last to post a flawless 65 and join fellow Englishman Richard Bland and Australia's Richard Green on six under par.
Storm was thrilled with his day's work. He said: "I’m very pleased and happy to shoot 65. It all seemed to go my way today. I holed a couple of nice putts towards the end.
"It was nice to roll that one in on the last (20ft birdie putt). I’m grinding away. I’m in that precarious position of trying to keep my card again, the same as the last couple of years, but I’m grinding away and trying to get through it.
"I am shooting decent scores. My temperament is far better than it was six months ago. I’ve been trying to get the mental side right and it is starting to click."
Also starting at the tenth, Bland opened his round in style, carding birdies in each of his first four holes before safely parring the next five to cover his front nine in 32.
After making another gain at the second, the Englishman dropped a shot at the fourth, but he bounced back with birdies at the sixth and eighth to finish his first round on six under par.
He said: "I got off to a great start with four birdies straight out the gate. So it was a fantastic start. The back is playing easier than the front so it was nice to get the job done on the front nine as well."
Bland's playing partner Green made four gains on his front nine before adding another two after the turn to post a bogey free 65.
Green is pleased to be at the Porsche European Open. He said: "Porsche is one of my favourite automobiles out there. I have two myself. They have made their bucks out of me.
"I race one and I have a GT3 at home. I love them. They are an awesome car so to see them as a sponsor this week has a good feeling. The European Open is a big tournament, it has a prestigious name, and it is one I would like on my list.
"I raced last week in Norway and had a great time. I’m planning on doing a little more next year and try my luck.
"If it falls in with the golf schedule I will do it more. I’ve only been able to race once or twice a year because of golf, but at this stage of my career I might be able to fit it in a little more.
"I finished eighth out of 22 last week and I was to the tail-end of the GT3 class, but for my first time at that track in those conditions I did pretty well. I didn’t have car set up help – I just jumped in it and drove it. Hopefully next time with the experience I will be better.
England's Oliver Fisher sits a further shot back on five under par after mixing seven birdies with two bogeys.
