a trio of Englishmen took advantage of perfect conditions yesterday with the Yorkshireman Danny Willett, winner of the event two years ago, earning a share of the lead with his playing partner, the Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello, after an eight-under-par 64 at Gut Larchenhof.

Following an outward nine of 33, Willett carded five birdies after the turn as he completed his round without dropping a shot, as did Cabrera-Bello. It gave the pair a two-stroke lead over seven players including Graeme Storm, from Hartlepool, Andy Sullivan, from Nuneaton, and the Northern Irishman Michael Hoey.

"It was one of those days when I rolled a few nice ones in," said Willett, who had not played in the pro-am on Wednesday because of a stiff neck. "There was a score out there and we both took it. You can turn average rounds into good rounds when you hole a few putts."

A total of 83 players ended the day under par, including home favourite Martin Kaymer in his first appearance since winning the US Open a fortnight ago. He is, though, back in a share of 65th after a one-under 71.

Starting at the 10th, birdies on two holes were quickly undone by a double bogey at the short 16th and another dropped shot at the 18th took him to the turn in one over. Three successive birdies got him back to two under but having hit his second into a greenside bunker at the 577-yard seventh he failed to get out of the trap from an awkward lie and bogeyed. "It was a tough day on the greens," said Kaymer. "They look good but are very tough to putt on."

The best score returned by a Scot was Craig Lee's 69, two better than Richie Ramsay and Jack Doherty, while Paul Lawrie, Chris Doak, David Drysdale and Alastair Forsyth all shot 72. Less happy with their day's work were Scott Jamieson, Marc Warren and Jamie McLeary (all 75) and Peter Whiteford (80).