Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger set the early clubhouse pace during round one of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles on a morning of low scoring.
The two-time European Tour winner has made 17 consecutive cuts this season and continued to shine with seven birdies in a blemish-free 65.
At seven under par he led by one from Spain’s Ignacio Garrido and England’s Oliver Fisher, the latter bogeying his final hole to miss out on a share of the lead.
“I didn't make a lot of mistakes,” said Wiesberger. “I had troubles the last couple weeks driving the ball, and coming off Major Championships where you have to be very precise off the tee, I felt I had a bit more margin of error here.
“My driving is better the last couple of days, which helped a lot, and I've got shorter clubs into the greens, and I could take advantage of those.
“I came here with the feeling that I like the golf course, I like the weather, playing in these colder conditions, I think it suits me. I’m very relaxed; had last week off, so quite fresh into this tournament and that helped me.
Despite his late blip it was still a fine return to form for Fisher, who has not posted a top ten finish on The European Tour since claiming his maiden title in the Czech Republic two years ago.
Starting at the 11th the 24 year old birdied six of his first ten holes, fired a fine approach to six feet at the fifth for another birdie, then dropped shots at the sixth and tenth either side of a birdie at the eighth.
And Fisher is drawing on the experience of playing recently with golf’s latest Major Champion at The Open Championship.
Jason Dufner carded a closing 67 at Muirfield three weeks before winning at Oak Hill, and Fisher hopes his 68 that day can have a similar affect on the rest of his season.
“I played with Jason the last round, I think he shoot four under and I shoot three, and there's not a lot between,” said Fisher. “He's just gone on to finish second at Bridgestone and won the PGA, and I sat at home watching it on telly. It doesn't take a lot, the difference in the game to completely change your year or change your career, if you like.
“I’ll just keep believing and being patient. I know the golf I can play and it's just a matter of getting out there and taking a bit of responsibility I guess.”
The afternoon starters were being led by Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez and English pair Ross Fisher and Andy Sullivan, all of whom were five under par playing their back nine.
