Scotland’s Scott Jamieson is the surprise leader after the opening round of the Open de Espana.
Much of the build-up focused on the possibility of a Spaniard winning the tournament for the second year running, with defending champion Alvaro Quiros and popular veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez the leading candidates.
But at six-under it is 27-year-old Jamieson that will take a one-shot lead into the second day, with home hope Pablo Larrazabal joining Romain Wattel, Jeev Milkha Singh and Steve Webster on five-under.
Jamieson began his first round at the 10th and made a blistering start with birdies on two of his first three holes, and the Glaswegian putter responded to his first dropped shot of the day, at the par-four 14th, by reeling off three more birdies before the turn.
The unheralded Scot then continued his fine day on the inward nine with three more birdies, while also shooting a second bogey, to card a six-under-par round of 77.
However, hot on his heels are Larrazabal, Wattel, Singh and Webster, with Gregory Bourdy, Peter Lawrie, Thomas Aiken and Anthony Wall a shot further back.
Jimenez, meanwhile, is back on one under after a solid but unspectacular opening round that consisted of two birdies and a solitary bogey, while fellow countryman Jose Maria Olazabal made three birdies and three bogeys to card a par-round in his first outing in this tournament for several years.
However, it was a day to forget for 2010 winner Quiros who finds himself well off the pace following a disappointing two-over-par 74 in the first round.
The 28-year-old started well enough by making a birdie at the first, and he completed his outward nine in par following a further birdie and two bogeys.
