Australian Marcus Fraser led the way on a day of low scoring when the BMW International Open began in Cologne.
The 33 year old from Melbourne set the early clubhouse target with an eight under par 64, only one shot off the lowest round of his European Tour career.
Fraser birdied five of his last six holes, capping things off with a 20 foot putt, but he was only one ahead of England's Danny Willett.
The team-mate of Rory McIlroy at the 2007 Walker Cup is still seeking his first victory on The European Tour, but sank a four foot eagle putt at the long 16th as he also came home in a five under 31.
“It's great,” said Fraser. “I played really well - drove the ball really straight, only missed one fairway.
“Any time you do that, you're going to give yourself plenty of chances. The greens were nice this morning and I managed to make a few putts and especially a few at the end, which was great.”
Indian Shiv Kapur, France's Grégory Havret and South African Keith Horne all shot 66, but local favourite and former World Number One Martin Kaymer managed only a one under 71, jetlag taking its toll on his return from the US Open in San Francisco.
"I only slept two hours last night," Kaymer said.
"I made only two birdies, which is not a lot on this course. I didn't drive the ball very well.”
Colin Montgomerie, who was also in the States doing television commentary work, returned a 69 on the course where he won the German Masters back in 1998.
American John Daly, winner of the title in Munich 11 years ago, was happy with a bogey-free 68 after deciding to put no fewer than five woods in his bag.
"I hit my irons very low, but here everything is so soft and you have to hit it high," said the former Open and US PGA Champion.
"They're a lot easier to hit, but I have to get used to them."
The afternoon starters included Sergio Garcia, back-from-injury Paul Casey and 54 year old Bernhard Langer. Both Casey and Langer kicked off with a birdie.
