Craig Lee mounted a telling surge on the back nine to finish among the frontrunners after the opening round of the D+D REAL Czech Masters in Prague.
The Stirling man, who was one-over at the turn, charged home in 31 on his way to a four-under-par 68 as he finished two shots behind early leader, Ben Evans, who posted a 66.
Scott Jamieson joined Lee on the four-under mark despite having to play with a spare set of clubs after his set went missing in transit while Paul Lawrie opened his challenge with a three-under 69.
Meanwhile, Davis Love III, the US Ryder Cup captain, has admitted that his European counterpart, Darren Clarke, is going to be hard-pressed not to pick Scotsman Russell Knox for next month’s match at Hazeltine.
Knox is in line for a wild card after his second PGA Tour win of the season at the Travelers Championship recently.
Love III said: “If I was in Darren’s shoes I think Russell is deserving of his place in the European team.
“So I wouldn’t be surprised to see Russell getting a pick. And the good thing is that he's in form and can clearly handle the heat."
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