Kenneth Ferrie made a remarkable start to the D+D REAL Czech Masters to hold an early lead at Albatross Golf Resort.
The three-time European Tour winner form England, playing on a sponsor’s invite having lost his card two years ago, set off with six consecutive birdies – the last of which came via a tap-in after a fine approach.
That run ended suddenly with a bogey at the short seventh, but at five under through eight holes Ferrie held a one shot lead over Keith Horne and Craig Lee.
South African Horne was threatening to upstage Ferrie's incredible start, with a three footer at the fourth ensuring he had birdied every hole so far.
Scotland's Lee turned in 33 before picking up a shot at the long tenth.
In the scramble for automatic Ryder Cup places, Dutchman Joost Luiten was level par through eight holes, with Jamie Donaldson and Stephen Gallacher among the later starters.
Welshman Donaldson currently holds the eighth of nine spots on Paul McGinley's side for Gleneagles, with Gallacher and Luiten just outside and the points race finishing after next week's Italian Open.
A run of five straight pars from the eighth saw Ferrie caught by fellow tournament invite Javier Colomo – the Spaniard birdieing four of his first six holes on the back nine.
England's Paul Waring had joined Horne a shot behind the leaders, while Luiten boosted his chances of a Ryder Cup debut with birdies at the second and fourth to reach two under.
