Already the oldest winner in European Tour history, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez could improve his own record after taking a one-shot lead in the KLM Open at Kennemer Golf Club.
Jimenez, who broke his leg in a skiing accident last December shortly after winning the Hong Kong Open aged 48 and 318 days, fired eight birdies and two bogeys to card an opening six-under-par 64 in Zandvoort.
The last of those birdies on the 18th took the 49-year-old, who will be eligible for the Seniors Tour next season, out of a logjam at the top of the leaderboard.
Compatriot Pablo Larrazabal, Ireland’s Damien McGrane, England’s David Howell, Paraguay’s Fabrizio Zanotti, Scotland’s Gary Orr and Australian Robert Allenby were all five under.
Jimenez, who was in contention to become the oldest major winner in history in the Open at Muirfield before finishing 13th, said: “It was a little windy which made it more interesting but I am playing very well, very solid and a few birdies in the last few holes helps a lot.
“Holing a 40-metre pitch on the 16th for a birdie also helps.”
Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley carded a two-under-par 68 to finish alongside Irish Open winner Paul Casey, while home favourite Joost Luiten was a shot behind after a 69 and BMW PGA Championship winner Matteo Manassero carded a 70.
Three Scots Scott Jamieson, Craig lee and Scott Henry all carded 69s to lie four behind compatriot Orr, while there was disappointment for Marc Warren, who carded a 73 and Fifer Peter Whiteford who finished four-over after a 74.
Callum Macaulay is three further behind following his 77.
Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts recovered from three over par after seven holes to get back to level par, but then ran up a triple-bogey seven on his final hole to card a 73.
l Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko’s debut on the Challenge Tour did not go as planned after a 12 over par 84 for his first round.
The brief highlight for the 36-year-old amateur, who retired from football after Euro 2012, was a birdie on the 132-yard second at the Kharkov Superior Cup in Ukraine.
France’s Victor Rui leads on eight under.