Scotland’s Scott Jamieson is the co-leader of the M2M Russian Open after shooting a six-under-par 65 on the opening day.
The 31-year-old, who started his round at Skolkovo Golf Club on the back nine, birdied the 10th and 13th to quickly move to two-under and his good performance continued across the rest of his round.
The one-time European Tour winner recorded consecutive birdies from the first to the fourth to card a bogey-free round and move joint-top of the leaderboard alongside Australian Daniel Gaunt.
The latter, who has tasted success twice on the Challenge Tour, fired in six birdies, one eagle and a double-bogey to take an early share of the lead going into Friday’s play.
Englishman Lee Slattery and Welshman Bradley Dredge are a shot off the lead in joint-third after they both hit five-under-par rounds of 66, while defending champion David Horsey is in a huge group of players on -4.
The 2015 Made in Denmark winner carded six birdies and two bogeys in what was a steady performance and he is joined by Panuphol Pittayarat, Thitiphun Chuaypraking, Keith Horne, Craig Lee, Tom Murray, Ben Evans and Sam Hutsby in the chasing pack.
Tagged European Tour, Russian Open, Scott Jamieson