Former champion Miguel Angel Jiménez marked his 25th appearance in the Omega European Masters with an opening round of six under par 65 to sit two shots behind leader Anirban Lahiri of India.
Jiménez was crowned King of the Mountains in 2010 at Crans-sur-Sierre, and the 49 year old Spaniard is ideally placed for another challenge after seven birdies and just the single bogey in Switzerland.
He shares second place with former Ryder Cup player Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood, winner of the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles a fortnight ago.
After ten top ten finishes in the event, including his victory three years ago, Crans veteran Jiménez is feeling confident about his chances this week.
“It is a very nice start,” he said. “I played very well today – I can play this course with my eyes closed!”
Lahiri played through the pain barrier to set the pace on eight under par 63, after suffering a twisted knee following a fall when running four weeks ago.
The 26 year old had two eagles in his first round, on the 14th and 18th holes after start on the tenth, and he could be forgiven a slight sense of déjà vu after also holding a share of the first round clubhouse lead last year, only to miss the cut when the weather turned on day two.
“It was a tough pill to swallow last year but I’ve learnt a lot from that,” he added. “The weather was so much colder and it was a big adjustment for me. It was a harsh lesson, but a lesson for life nevertheless.”
Casey also had an eagle in his round of 65 – on the picturesque seventh hole – and picked up a shot on the last as he chases his second win of 2013 following victory in the Irish Open.
“To start with a 65 has beautiful ring to it,” said the Englishman. “I’ve never played up here when it has been as beautiful as this. The golf course is absolutely perfect. It is pure and I played wonderful golf. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It is heaven up here.”
Former Challenge Tour Number One Fleetwood is hoping to build on his first European Tour victory in Scotland, and has put his missed cut in Wales last week behind him.
“I felt a lot better about my game from Monday onwards,” Fleetwood said. “It was a hard week in Wales. I wasn’t prepared for how hectic it would be.
“It was my first win in Scotland and so last week was a big comedown, but hopefully I’ll be more prepared for my next win.”
Denmark’s Thomas Björn, the 2011 champion, is a shot further back following a flawless 66, while Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher and Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey, both winners this season, and 2012 European Ryder Cup Captain José María Olázabal are among a group of six players on four under par.