England’s Danny Willett grabbed an early lead as the KLM Open began at Kennemer Golf & Country Club in the Netherlands.
The former BMW International Open winner carded three birdies in an outward 31, before picking up another shot at the long second to reach four under par.
That put the 25 year old one clear of home favourite Wil Besseling and Ireland’s Damien McGrane.
Like Willett, Besseling started at the tenth and produced four birdies and one bogey over his opening 12 holes, while Irish veteran McGrane continued the good form he displayed to finish sixth in Wales to be three under through eight holes.
Ryder Cup Captain Paul McGinley fought back from two bogeys in his first three holes to be part of a large group on two under.
Nicolas Colsaerts had made a slow start to be three over at the turn, but got back on track with birdies at the third, fourth and sixth - although at level par he was still five shots off the lead now held by McGrane.
The Irishman added an eagle three on the par five 12th to claim a one shot lead over Besseling, England's Richard Bland and Spain's Pablo Larrazábal.
Willett had dropped back to two under with bogeys at the fifth and sixth, the latter coming when his approach to the short par four span back viciously, catching the edge of the hole on its way back off the front of the green.
